Finger pointed at Paul Mitchell as Newcastle United risk missing out on key target, ‘dragged his heels’

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Paul Mitchell did not enjoy a harmonious year as Newcastle United’s sporting director, and now the Magpies are struggling without him as well.

He officially left his role at St James’ Park in June, with Eddie Howe shocked by Paul Mitchell’s departure.

Since Mitchell left, Newcastle United have made one signing. Anthony Elanga joined Newcastle, costing £55million from Nottingham Forest.

But this summer has been more about the players that Newcastle have not signed. The likes of Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Dean Huijsen and Bryan Mbeumo have all gone elsewhere despite interest from Tyneside.

Newcastle United set to miss out on James Trafford 12 months after Paul Mitchell ‘dragged his heels’

Now James Trafford could join that list, despite there previously being a feeling that the 22-year-old was guaranteed to join the Magpies.

Trafford could join Manchester City now, with Pep Guardiola’s side having a £40million buyback option after selling the goalkeeper to Burnley in 2023.

That would be a severe blow for Newcastle United, who have been trying to sign Trafford for more than 12 months. He was a key target last summer too, only for the deal to collapse.

According to TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook, one of the reasons a deal did not happen in 2024 was Paul Mitchell.

“The James Trafford one is a little bit of a saga,” he said.

“You go back a year, they probably could have got him out of Burnley for a maximum of £25million.

“They didn’t do that deal. By all accounts, Paul Mitchell dragged his heels a little bit.

“Here we are a year later. He’s had a brilliant season in the Championship. Burnley don’t need to sell. They want to keep their players for their own tilt to staying in the Premier League.

“Manchester City have this £40million buyback option that they’re seriously considering capitalising on. Stefan Ortega could go in the opposite direction.

“At the moment, this does look like another target that Newcastle will miss out on.”

• Who is James Trafford? Meet the record-breaking goalkeeper close to Newcastle United transfer

Newcastle United braced for transfer embarrassment after Nick Pope howler

Given the amount of time that Newcastle have dedicated to this deal, it will be highly embarrassing if Trafford moves elsewhere.

There has always been an expectation that he would arrive at St James’ Park, with Trafford agreeing personal terms with Newcastle. However, a fee with Burnley has never been agreed.

Trafford could now be braced for a return to the Etihad Stadium, just days after a fresh spotlight was cast on Newcastle’s goalkeeping situation.

Nick Pope was massively at fault during Newcastle’s defeat to Celtic on Saturday, with his error handing Brendan Rodgers’ side their second goal. He misjudged a long ball over the top, as Johnny Kenny capitalised to score one of the easiest goals of his career.