‘I still think’… Craig Hope suggests Newcastle are still actually trying to sign ‘outstanding’ player

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Newcastle United are well-stocked in one particular area of the pitch.

Indeed, two thirds of their summer arrivals so far have come in the same position.

Newcastle, of course, have signed both John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos to boost Eddie Howe’s goalkeeping contingent to five, alongside Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka and Mark Gillespie.

Obviously, players in that position could still depart and Dubravka is said to have been told he can leave St James’ Park this summer.

Still, despite the wealth of options between the posts, it seems Newcastle are still keen to sign another custodian.

James Trafford has long-been linked with a move to the club. Hailed as “outstanding” by Anthony Gordon last summer during their run together in the U21 European Championships, the trail has gone somewhat cold of late.

Still, Craig Hope has now provided an update.

Craig Hope provides Newcastle transfer update involving James Trafford

Speaking on a video posted on YouTube, Hope said: “I still think there could be movement on James Trafford.

“Newcastle don’t have a No.2, really – you know, if Dubravka is going to go. And is Dubravka actually good enough to be a No.2 to Nick Pope? I think last season proved he probably isn’t.

“And while there’s still slight doubts over Pope’s fitness, Newcastle need to go out and buy a No.2 goalkeeper. For me, they haven’t got one.

“You may think that’s ludicrous – ‘sign another goalkeeper?’ Well yeah, at the start of the summer, terms with Trafford I think were discussed and agreed.

“That might be one they revisit.”

Newcastle have far more pressing needs in the transfer market

Trafford is rated highly by Howe but the constant pursuit of him does seem a little strange.

That’s not to say he wouldn’t improve the squad long-term and offer a more compelling option than Dubravka, Ruddy, Gillespie or Vlachodimos but Newcastle have to be wise with the money they have available.

The idea of Trafford instantly replacing Pope in the starting eleven feels remote at best. It would be nice to have a long-term succession plan in place but Howe’s desire to strengthen both at centre-back and on the right wing is surely far more pressing at this stage.

Thought to only have around £100m left to spend this summer, that sum doesn’t get top teams very far in the transfer market these days. Rather than strengthen a position already brimming with options, Newcastle would be wise to focus on other targets.