‘World class’… Scott Parker makes James Trafford admission amid Newcastle United personal agreement

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Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford seems likely to be linked with Newcastle United again this summer.

Trafford has long been touted as a Newcastle United transfer target, albeit the fact Burnley could return to the Premier League next season may complicate matters.

Newcastle remain interested in signing Trafford, who has impressed at Turf Moor this time around following a difficult season in the topflight last season.

No Championship goalkeeper boasts a better save percentage (84.9%) or clean sheet percentage this season (66.7%), with Scott Parker’s side having only conceded 14 goals in 43 games thus far.

Indeed, Trafford saved two penalties in one game against Sunderland back in January and was at his best again as the Clarets beat Watford on Friday in the promotion race.

The 22-year-old pulled off another remarkable save and Parker made a big admission after the game.

Scott Parker makes big admission over Newcastle United transfer target James Trafford

The Burnley boss described Trafford’s sinew-stretching stop to deny Ebe Kayembe as “world class”.

Reflecting on the goalkeeper’s development, the former Newcastle United midfielder admitted the club had to do a lot of work to coach Trafford back into form following a difficult campaign under Vincent Kompany in the Premier League last season.

“There’s no denying at the beginning of the season, the work we all had to do with Traff and where he was, there was a lot of work,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“He needed to engage in that. He needed to take a breath and take stock and decide where he wanted to be, and to be fair to him, I’ve seen someone mature. There’s no denying that he’s a world-class keeper.

“How you judge keepers is in big moments.”

James Trafford has already agreed Newcastle United transfer

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Trafford has already agreed personal terms with Newcastle.

Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean the race is won.

Manchester United are also interested in Trafford, so signing him won’t be easy and that’s even without thinking about the potential of Burnley being a Premier League club next season.

Newcastle fans have been split over Nick Pope’s performances recently, albeit it remains to be seen whether or not Trafford would arrive as the club’s No.1 right away if he did eventually sign for them.