Newcastle 'reignite' Trafford talks with Man City circling | OneFootball

Newcastle have reignited discussions with Burnley over the signing of highly-rated goalkeeper James Trafford but they could be gazumped by Manchester City with Pep Guardiola's side believed to have agreed a deal with the Clarets for their former goalkeeper.

The Magpies have long held an interest in the 22-year-old England international, having initially tried to secure his services last summer. That move was abandoned shortly after Paul Mitchell’s arrival as sporting director in July 2024. However, sources now suggest the club are cautiously optimistic that an agreement can finally be reached.

Trafford’s future has also attracted interest from Manchester City, where he began his career, raising fears on Tyneside last week that the Premier League champions might hijack the deal.

A report from Fabrizio Romano on Friday has claimed that a deal has been agreed between City and the shot-stopper, despite the Telegraph reporting at the same time that he could be on his way to St James' Park.

Burnley, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have remained resolute in their £40 million valuation of Trafford. That price tag had previously proved too steep for Newcastle, who are managing their spending carefully this summer. The inclusion of veteran Slovakian goalkeeper Dúbravka as a makeweight could be key to unlocking the stalemate.

Dúbravka was notably left out of Newcastle’s pre-season squad for their tour of Singapore and South Korea, suggesting he is not part of Eddie Howe’s plans for the upcoming campaign. A move to Burnley could offer the 35-year-old a chance to play regular first-team football as the Clarets aim for a swift return to the top flight.

It’s been a testing summer for Newcastle in the transfer market. The club have missed out on several top targets and now face a battle to retain star striker Alexander Isak, with Liverpool reportedly circling. To mitigate the potential loss of the Swede, Newcastle are exploring alternative attacking options. Talks are ongoing with Brentford over Yoane Wissa, while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško has been identified as a possible replacement should Isak depart.

As the summer window enters its final weeks, Newcastle’s efforts to reshape their squad continue. Securing Trafford would not only bolster their goalkeeping options with a young, homegrown talent but could also mark a turning point in what has so far been a frustrating few months on the transfer front.

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