Man City factor causing issue in Newcastle United's transfer hunt for Burnley star | OneFootball

The Magpies want to poach The Clarets' former number one.

The sell-on clause that Manchester City agreed with Burnley when they signed goalkeeper James Trafford is causing the delays in the deal that would see the England international leave Turf Moor and join Newcastle United.

Trafford's complicated time as a Claret has seen him get relegated with the club, be dropped for Arijanet Muric, and now the signs point towards him leaving after just one year at the club.

He joined from Man City last summer in a deal worth £19 million, according to The Athletic. He was supposed to be a key cog in Vincent Kompany's system of playing out from the back.

That system ultimately failed them in the Premier League, and Trafford wasn't able to show the levels that he had done in previous loan spells with the likes of Bolton Wanderers.

The Cumbrian shot-stopper was identified early on by Newcastle as a target for the summer window. Their current first choice keeper, Nick Pope, is one of the best in the league at saving efforts on goal, but he's not as comfortable with the ball at his feet as the 21-year-old is.

United are reported to have held talks with Burnley over a deal, with a bid for Trafford shortly following. But the £16 million package that they are said to have offered fell short of the £20 million that the Clarets would like to get for him.

As well as a gap in valuation, and a difference in payment terms, with Newcastle wanting a fair share of the money to be paid based on clauses being met while Burnley want most of the fee to be paid up front, there is an issue that has come about from the English champions' sale of the keeper to the Lancashire side.

The Man City factor that's delaying the James Trafford, Newcastle United deal

When the Citizens sold Trafford to Burnley, a 20% sell-on clause was included in the deal, according to the Northern Echo. This means that 20% of the money that the Clarets make from selling him will go to Pep Guardiola's side.

A guarantee that they would be losing part of the revenue that they would get from offloading the 21-year-old has led to Burnley trying to drive the price of Trafford up as high as possible, so they end up getting a fair price for him after they have paid City.

The situation between the two clubs is described to be: "at an impasse," by the Echo, but they added that sources on the Newcastle side of things are confident that a deal can still be made.

Burnley are right to try and offload James Trafford

Those who have seen the young keeper develop through the levels will know that last season wasn't a true representation of him and what he can do.

When Bolton reached the play-offs, two seasons ago, he was one of the biggest reasons why they did, in large part because of his miraculous save-making. That wasn't on display last time out.

He will improve and there's a very good chance that he will solidify himself as a top flight goalkeeper. But Burnley clearly don't need him. He's a bit of a luxury item that they may struggle to afford to keep.

Muric came in and replaced him in the final stages of the season. He wasn't perfect either, but he was the mainstay number one when Kompany got them promoted.