According to a report by The Times, James Trafford is the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies are keen on reinforcing their goalkeeping unit by signing a highly-rated shot-stopper in the summer transfer window. So, the 22-year-old Burnley mainstay has emerged as a target for the Tyneside outfit.
The Magpies have started negotiations with the newly promoted Premier League club to sign the highly-rated Englishman in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Burnley will demand £30 million to part ways with Trafford, and the fee will be a record price for an English goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Newcastle United would prefer a lower valuation to land the young stopper.
James Trafford has established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in his homeland since joining Burnley from Manchester City in July 2023. While the 22-year-old endured a trial by fire in his debut season, he was exceptional in the 2024/25 campaign, having been instrumental in the Clarets’ promotion to the Premier League.
The English goalkeeper conceded only 16 goals while keeping 29 clean sheets in 45 EFL Championship appearances. So, it is hardly surprising that Trafford is sought-after in the market in the summer transfer window, with Newcastle United among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.
Newcastle United wanted to sign James Trafford from Burnley last summer before the deal failed to see the light of day. The Tyneside outfit also mulled over a winter move, but that did not materialise either. The continued interest is understandable, considering Nick Pope has struggled with fitness issues in the last few seasons.
In addition, the English international is on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of his career. So, Newcastle United will sign a young goalkeeper who can compete with Pope before taking over as the first-choice stopper. Trafford has thus emerged as a viable target, with the Magpies opening talks with Burnley over a summer move.
Meanwhile, the newly promoted Premier League club will demand £30 million, a record fee for an English goalkeeper, to part ways with the 22-year-old Englishman. However, Newcastle United will attempt to drive the price down instead of paying £30 million to sign Trafford. So, it will be interesting to see how the negotiations between the two Premier League outfits progress in the coming weeks.
