Newcastle United have an ‘integral’ player they can offer Burnley for James Trafford

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United are struggling to meet Burnley’s asking price for James Trafford.

The Magpies are hoping to make the 22-year-old their first major signing of the summer, with Newcastle in talks to sign Trafford from Burnley.

There is currently a problem though, with Burnley wanting almost £40million for Trafford. That is more than the Magpies are willing to pay, creating an impasse in negotiations.

Newcastle do not want to overpay for their targets, which might force them to get creative in the transfer market.

Newcastle United should offer cash plus player deal for James Trafford

Toon officials could drive Trafford’s price down by offering Burnley a player in return.

Newcastle are ready to sell Matt Targett, so perhaps the 29-year-old could be pitched as part of the deal to bring Trafford to Tyneside.

Targett has slipped down the Toon pecking order, with his last Premier League start coming in September 2023. That does not tell the whole story, with the emergence of Lewis Hall and fitness problems limiting Targett’s minutes in black and white.

But the defender remains a solid Premier League defender, and could add valuable experience to Scott Parker’s side.

Targett was a key player when Newcastle United battled to avoid relegation after Howe’s arrival. He joined on loan from Aston Villa, with Howe describing Targett as an ‘integral’ player at the end of the season before signing him permanently for £15million.

A move away from St James’ Park surely beckons, so perhaps he could be offered to the Clarets.

Newcastle could use Matt Targett to sign Marc Guehi

That is not beyond the realms of possibility, as it is the type of deal that the Magpies are already considering for another one of their targets.

According to the Chronicle, Targett could be included in Newcastle United’s approach to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

That would allow Newcastle to get a cheaper deal for a player who almost moved to St James’ Park last summer.

As it stands, a deal for Trafford appears to be Eddie Howe’s priority, so maybe Targett should be offered to Burnley instead of Crystal Palace. Either way, it is clearly something that Newcastle United are open to as they aim to stretch their transfer budget as far as possible.