Chelsea and Newcastle United chasing £20 million Burnley deal as Clarets' stance revealed | OneFootball

Having recently been relegated from the Premier League, Burnley's James Trafford is being eyed up by Chelsea and Newcastle United, who are both said to be keen on the keeper.

According to Alan Nixon of The Sun, The Blues are ahead in the race though and ready to make a £20 million bid for the keeper, who, despite a bumpy season, is still seen as one of England's bright prospects.

At just 21 years of age, the former Bolton man represents a player who has a high ceiling and this follows the pattern of Chelsea trying to sign emerging young talent.

James Trafford transfer latest

Having starred on loan at the Wanderers, this season has not quite gone to plan for the Burnley man.

Signing from Manchester City, for an initial fee of £15 million, the keeper is one of the most expensive signings for the Clarets ever. But, upon their return to Championship football, they have the chance to make a profit, as per Alan Nixon.

Sources close to the club believe that they would be happy to sell last year's summer signing and managerless Chelsea are the team currently leading the race.

Whilst competition will arrive from Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, the Magpies have a sense that the London club's recruitment strategy will give them the edge.

Additionally, Manchester City will be keeping a keen eye on the deal with various aspects involved in his sale to Burnley. According to BBC Sport, Pep Guardiola's team have a 20% sell-on clause and are also believed to have a buy-back option included in his contract, although it is unclear as to when that becomes active.

Whilst this early interest is clear, a deal is unlikely to happen until Gareth Southgate makes his decision on whether he wants to take Trafford to Euro 2024. The keeper is currently in the 33-man provisional squad but is likely to drop out with Aaron Ramsdale, Dean Henderson and Jordan Pickford his seemingly preferred choice.

Trafford has struggled since his big move

James Trafford's loan move to Bolton Wanderers for the 2022-23 season put the young keeper on the map. Ranking highest for save percentage, number of clean sheets and high claims, he displayed an ability much higher than that of League One (FotMob).

The summer only benefited him even further, with a brilliant penalty save in the U21 Euro final to help England lift the trophy.

Following this season, transfer interest was rife in Manchester City's young keeper and Burnley picked him up for an at-the-time reasonable price of £15 million.

However, his time at Turf Moor has difficult so far. Having displaced Arijanet Muric at the start of the campaign, the keeper has made 28 league appearances this term, shipping 62 goals in those games.

Statistically, one of the poorest keepers in the league. The 21-year-old has featured in the bottom five for most key goalkeeper stats and, having only picked up two clean sheets, Vincent Kompany opted to return to Muric for the final few months of the season.

Clearly, this year has knocked the confidence of James Trafford. But, many around him still feel he will develop on the promise he showed in League One and, for Chelsea or Newcastle, you hope that is true.