Newcastle United could return for £19m target in January after Paul Mitchell failed to deliver Eddie Howe’s wish

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After an underwhelming summer transfer window, all attention at Newcastle United has shifted to January.

The January market is usually much quieter than its summer counterpart, but Newcastle United cannot afford for that to be the case.

Newcastle failed to land any of their top targets over the summer, which has piled pressure on new sporting director Paul Mitchell and seemingly caused a rift behind the scenes.

A new right-sided winger and a top-class centre-back were at the top of Newcastle’s shopping list, but Eddie Howe has been left emptyhanded and the disappointing end to the window put a dampener on the mood around St James’ Park.

There are now no excuses for Newcastle in January. Mitchell is set to be handed a £70m war chest to invest in Howe’s squad and he is under pressure to deliver.

Newcastle United could return for James Trafford

It seems crazy to think that Newcastle will dip back into the market for another goalkeeper after signing two in the summer, but that is a likely scenario in January.

Newcastle signed goalkeeper duo John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos over the summer and Newcastle now have five shot-stoppers on the books.

But there is a concern that none of Newcastle’s goalkeeping options can provide sufficient competition for Nick Pope.

Newcastle entered talks to sign James Trafford this summer after months of monitoring the £19m rated Burnley star.

The interest in Trafford continued up to deadline day, but eventually the 21-year-old stayed put at Turf Moor.

Now, via The Athletic, Chris Waugh admitted “it would not be a surprise” if Newcastle return for James Trafford in January.

“Burnley’s James Trafford was identified as the preferred option but, as has been reported at length previously, Newcastle’s goalkeeping reshuffle did not go according to plan over the summer,” Waugh wrote.

“Instead, despite having five senior goalkeepers in their Premier League squad, none are deemed genuine challengers/alternatives to Pope. Could that lead to Pope becoming too comfortable in his position? Potentially, although his general shotstopping performances suggest otherwise, beyond the two howlers.

“Howe wanted a higher-calibre back-up goalkeeper and he still does, so it would not be a surprise if Newcastle returned for Trafford or made a move for another shot-stopper in January.”

James Trafford signing could mend Newcastle rift

It was clear over the summer that Howe wanted to sign someone to challenge Nick Pope, and Waugh suggests he still wants better competition in the goalkeeping department after signing Ruddy and Vlachodimos.

He adds that the goalkeeping reshuffle “did not go according to plan” – and frankly, that also applies for every other transfer target Newcastle had over the summer.

READ MORE: Where Newcastle plan to make a signing next summer; ‘outstanding’ player will be monitored

It is an open secret that Mitchell and Howe have not got off to the best start, but a January deal for Trafford would finally deliver on Howe’s summer wish. Better late than never.

However, it would be a surprise if a back-up goalkeeper was Newcastle’s top priority in January given the obvious weaknesses across the starting XI at the moment.