According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Newcastle United are unwilling to pay the £40 million asking price to sign James Trafford. The English goalkeeper has been outstanding in the EFL Championship, and he has been the best keeper in the second division of English football last season.
There is no doubt that he has the qualities to do well in the Premier League, and he could be a key player for Newcastle Unitd in the long run. The Magpies are looking to build a quality team for the future, and they need to replace Nick Pope. The Newcastle goalkeeper is in the twilight stages of his career, and Trafford could prove to be the ideal replacement. So, initial talks have taken place to sign him.
The opportunity to join one of the biggest clubs in English football will be quite exciting for him. Newcastle United have an ambitious project and a talented squad. They have secured UEFA Champions League qualification for the 2025/26 season, and they managed to win a trophy last season as well. They will be an attractive destination for most players.
The highly-rated goalkeeper will certainly hope to join them this summer. It will be interesting to see if Burnley are willing to lower their demands for the talented young goalkeeper. He could justify the investment in the long run, but Newcastle are hoping to sign him for a reasonable fee now.
It will be interesting to see how the situation develops over the next few weeks. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe rates the player highly, and he wants to get the deal done in the coming weeks. Newcastle United certainly have the finances to pay the reported £40 million asking price, but they are unwilling to pay a premium for him.
It will be interesting to see if the goalkeeper decides to force an exit in the coming weeks. He has helped his club secure promotion to the Premier League, and they might hope to hold onto him beyond this summer. They need quality players to survive in the top flight, and Trafford is an indispensable asset for them.
