Newcastle United are reportedly close to making Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford their first major summer signing.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the Magpies are “planning to get the deal done very soon” for the young English shot-stopper who has long been on their radar. Eddie Howe showed interest in the 22-year-old in January and now appears set to secure his signature.
Trafford’s stock has risen in English football since joining the Clarets from Manchester City in the summer of 2023. He was a crucial member of Scott Parker’s side that boasted the best defensive record of any team in the country last season.
Newcastle Closing In On Trafford
An agreement is close
Romano gave an update on Newcastle’s pursuit of Trafford and suggested that it shouldn’t be too long until the deal gets over the line. He wrote on X:
“Newcastle are closing in on James Trafford deal, final details being sorted! Agreement almost done with Burnley and then it will be here we go. Newcastle are planning to get the deal done very soon.”
Trafford would be the Tyneside giants’ first major summer signing following the arrival of Spanish teenage attacker Antonito Cordero as a free agent. The English goalkeeper’s capture will come as a relief given the difficult window the club have encountered thus far.
| James Trafford (Championship 2024-25) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 45 |
| Saves per game: | 2.0 (85%) |
| Successful runs out per game: | 0.4 (100%) |
| Saves: | 88 |
| Goals prevented: | 12.82 |
Howe is set to miss out on his top attacking target, Joao Pedro, with Chelsea reportedly agreeing on a deal worth more than £50m for the Brighton forward. This follows failed moves for new Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who is also set for an Old Trafford move.
There is no word of the fee being offered, but Burnley are thought to value Trafford at £35m, per ChronicleLive. A £25m bid was rejected on Sunday but talks are continuing, per Sky Sports.
Howe will be hoping that Trafford’s likely acquisition gets the ball rolling on the recruitment front. Attention may then turn to a new attacker with Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga on the club’s shortlist after failing with a bid of around £50m for the Swedish winger.