Newcastle United missed out on signing James Trafford over the summer, but the goalkeeper may regret his decision.
Eddie Howe wanted to bring in a new goalkeeper to bolster his Newcastle United options over the summer.
Martin Dubravka joined Burnley, and Odysseas Vlachodimos headed to Sevilla, meaning Newcastle needed new competition for Nick Pope.
Aaron Ramsdale arrived on loan from Southampton, with the Magpies holding an option to turn that move permanent in 2026.
Pope is under pressure from Ramsdale right now, with Howe facing a big goalkeeping decision coming out of this international break.
James Trafford’s Newcastle United snub has gone wrong
Ramsdale was not the only goalkeeper on Newcastle’s radar over the summer.
Newcastle pushed to sign James Trafford from Burnley after his impressive Championship campaign.
Manchester City hijacked the deal for Trafford and lured him back to the club, just two years since selling him to Burnley in the first place.
Trafford started the season as City’s first-choice goalkeeper, but Pep Guardiola then went and signed Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Trafford has now played just twice since the end of the summer transfer window, and both appearances came in the Carabao Cup.
The Manchester Evening News now suggest that Trafford’s departure from City ‘already looks inevitable’.
The 23-year-old’s return to City has not gone to plan, and it’s reasonable to suggest that he could have been Newcastle’s first-choice stopper by now, rather than sitting on the City bench.
Newcastle United should keep tabs on James Trafford situation
Newcastle missed out on Trafford as he chose a move to City, but Howe should still be interested in his services.
Being snubbed is not the greatest feeling, but that decision should not rule out a future move for Trafford.
After all, Trafford is arguably the best young English goalkeeper around, and he could be crucial for Newcastle for years to come.
Howe showed patience with the signing of Malick Thiaw, finally landing the defender a year later than planned.
Trafford could be a similar story, with Newcastle surely keeping close tabs on whether he fancies moving on again in 2026.
Ramsdale is only on loan, and if Newcastle have a genuine chance of finally securing Trafford, it’s a deal which must be pursued.
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