Newcastle United are poised to intensify their transfer activities following the Premier League’s PSR deadline, with a potential renewed bid for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford on the cards. Earlier attempts by Newcastle to secure Trafford’s services were rebuffed, but there’s speculation that a higher offer may be imminent.
Trafford, widely regarded as one of the brightest young goalkeepers in the country, faced challenges last season when Burnley was relegated from the Premier League. Despite this setback, he remains a strong contender for the starting role in the Championship. Newcastle’s interest in Trafford is seen as part of their strategy to find a long-term replacement for Martin Dubravka, who is linked with a move to Celtic following Joe Hart’s retirement.
Burnley initially signed Trafford from Manchester City for around £14 million, potentially rising to £19 million with add-ons, although it’s unlikely these additional payments were triggered due to relegation.
Negotiations between Newcastle and Burnley have centered on a transfer fee, with Burnley reportedly valuing Trafford at £20 million, while Newcastle’s last offer was around £16 million, heavily dependent on performance-related clauses.
Despite the hurdles, Newcastle remains optimistic about securing Trafford’s signature, recognizing his promising talent showcased during his time with England’s under-21 squad at the European Championships in Georgia.
| James Trafford’s Premier League statistics – Divisional squad ranking | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats | Output | Squad rank |
| Conceded | 62 | 2nd |
| Clean Sheets | 2 | 19th |
| Passes Completed | 48.9 | 2nd |
| Match rating | 6.65 | =17th |
Despite a remarkable start to his career highlighted by viral moments like his double-save from a penalty against Spain in the under-21 European Championships final, James Trafford’s journey has encountered challenges. His signing with Burnley was initially seen as a significant move for the future, marked by an “outstanding” tournament performance.
However, Trafford’s debut season in the Premier League was tough, exacerbated by a leaky defense that conceded heavily, leading to his eventual replacement by Arijanet Muric. Despite setbacks, he earned recognition with a call-up to England’s preliminary EURO 2024 squad, training alongside top keepers like Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale, and Dean Henderson before narrowly missing the final squad selection under Gareth Southgate.
A move to Newcastle could provide Trafford with a fresh start and an opportunity to learn from established keepers like Nick Pope, known as one of England’s finest. Goalkeepers often develop later than outfield players, suggesting Trafford, at 21, still has significant potential to fulfill and achieve success at the highest levels.
