Newcastle United could be closing in on a major breakthrough in the transfer window.
The Magpies are stepping up their pursuits of Joao Pedro, Anthony Elanga and James Trafford, as Eddie Howe eyes three huge deals that would massively enhance his Newcastle United squad.
Trafford is a long-term target, with Newcastle trying to sign the goalkeeper in 2024. However, a deal collapsed because of PSR.
That is not an issue in 2025, with the Telegraph reporting that Newcastle have offered £25million to sign Trafford. It remains to be seen if that will be enough, with Burnley valuing Trafford at £40million.
The valuation remains the issue, as the player himself has already decided he wants to move to St James’ Park.
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Fabrizio Romano shares exciting James Trafford to Newcastle United update
That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who has stated on X that Newcastle United have already agreed personal terms to sign Trafford from Burnley.
He reports that Newcastle are aiming to finalise a deal in the next few days, as they edge closer to getting the goalkeeper they have chased for 12 months.
Romano has posted on X: “James Trafford has fully agreed personal terms with Newcastle and talks between clubs keep advancing. No agreement yet on fee with Burnley but expectation remains to get it done in the next days. #NUFC confident as reported.”
If Trafford does arrive, he will be the second player to join Newcastle United this summer after Antonio Cordero.
What James Trafford recently said about joining Newcastle United in 2024
If it had not been for the Magpies’ PSR problems, Trafford would already be a Newcastle United player right now. Eddie Howe wanted Trafford in 2024, and he wanted to come to Newcastle.
The 22-year-old admitted as much during a recent appearance on Ben Foster’s podcast, Fozcast.
“In the summer, I wanted to move because the club I was close to going to was a good fit for me at the time,” he said.
“It was brilliant for me, I really believed in it and I really wanted the move. Not because I didn’t want to play in the Championship, I had no shame or no ego to be like ‘I’m better than Championship,’ you only prove you’re better than something by performing and showing people.
“It was just when the opportunity and a situation you believe suits you can happen, you should take it and you should go for it.
“So I wanted to move and it was close but it didn’t end up happening. The manager was brilliant with me throughout in pre-season because I was obviously moody because I wanted to move.”
Fortunately for Trafford, the opportunity to join Newcastle United is coming back around. That is likely why personal terms have not been a problem.
It will be interesting to know what kind of assurances Trafford has been given. Assuming he does arrive, he will join a club that already has five senior goalkeepers.
It is likely that Trafford will compete with Nick Pope, who is Eddie Howe’s first choice goalkeeper. Pope does not want to leave Newcastle, so it is not going to be a ‘one in, one out’ situation.
Instead, Trafford will put pressure on Pope’s position and dovetail with the 33-year-old, before eventually replacing him long-term.
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