Burnley star James Trafford a ‘likely’ signing for Newcastle United this month pending one condition

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Newcastle United are in a very strange goalkeeper situation at the moment.

The January transfer window has been up and down for Newcastle. It now looks like the Magpies will make their first sale despite the transfer window being open for three weeks. However, there could have been movements much earlier had it not been for Martin Durbravka’s transfer saga which is still not finished.

Dubravka was ready to leave Newcastle for Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab in January. It looked like a deal was all but confirmed when Dubravka had an emotional moment with Newcastle fans after their Carabao Cup win against Arsenal.

Now, recent reports suggest that Dubravka is happy to stay at Newcastle following discussions with Toon boss Eddie Howe.

Dubravka has had an excellent spell in the absence of Nick Pope, keeping seven clean sheets in the 10 games since coming into the squad.

Amidst all the news, Newcastle want to sign James Trafford from Burnley. Trafford has been exceptional under former Newcastle captain Scott Parker this season, keeping 18 clean sheets in the Championship so far this season.

While Newcastle are eager to sign the shot-stopper, there is one thing that needs to be clarified before an approach is made.

Newcastle need to make Dubravka decision before signing Trafford

Although it looks like Dubravka will stay at the club, It is unknown whether he will just see out the final six months of his contract and then leave, or if he will sign an extension to keep him at St James’ Park for another year.

On the NUFC Matters Transfer Show, transfer journalist Ben Jacobs was asked who Newcastle are most likely to sign in January.

Although Jabobs was reluctant to pin a name down, he said what it would take for Newcastle to sign Trafford.

“Newcastle are going to have to be very savvy with who they bring in this month,” he said.

“I don’t want to put a name out there at the moment other than to reiterate that if there is goalkeeper movement, James Trafford is a very likely bid and a likely signing for Newcastle.

“But first, they have to resolve the situation of have they changed their mind on (Martin) Dubravka, is this a stopgap between now and the summer or are they going to offer him a new deal? In this case, their perspective over (a new) goalkeeper could change.

“Right when the transfer window started, I would have said it was very likely that Dubravka and Odysseas (Vlachodimos) both might go and if they did it was reasonably certain that Newcastle would go back to Burnley for James Trafford.”

Newcastle recently rejected Al-Shabab’s approach for Odysseas Vlachodimos earlier in the week. The Greek international has only played once so far this season.

Newcastle also have goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy who are out of contract in the summer. It is unknown whether the pair will sign extensions.

Trafford compared to Newcastle goalkeepers

In recent seasons, the goalkeeping department has not been a position that Newcastle have desperately needed to improve given how well Dubravka and Pope have performed.

However, Pope has missed six Newcastle games through injury. The need to sign younger, fitter goalkeepers has increased.

At 22, Trafford fits the bill. Trafford would only cost Newcastle around £20m. PSR is a factor that needs to be considered though, Newcastle are yet to make a single signing and have prioritised outgoings in the transfer market rather than arrivals.

One of the only issues in Trafford’s game is his kicking. Like Pope, Trafford struggles with the ball at his feet with a pass completion percentage of just 70.7%.