Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell are going to overhaul the Newcastle United squad this summer.
There are expected to be plenty of changes at St James’ Park, with Newcastle United eyeing at least three signings.
While Newcastle do not have a limitless transfer budget, they do have capacity to invest due to the sales of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly. Their exits have put the Magpies in a strong position heading into the summer transfer window.
It is claimed that Newcastle want a winger, centre-back and striker, but it looks like a goalkeeper could also arrive.
Newcastle United on course to sign James Trafford
Newcastle United nearly signed James Trafford from Burnley last summer, but the deal collapsed.
There were suggestions of a fresh move in January, with Trafford keen to join Newcastle United.
That did not happen, but now the suggestion is that a summer deal is on the horizon.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who report that Newcastle United are expected to sign Trafford when the summer transfer window opens.
There is ‘extreme confidence’ that a deal will be done, regardless of whether or not Burnley win promotion back to the Premier League.
Newcastle United fans ask Nick Pope question
The transfer update involving Trafford is very exciting. The 22-year-old is enjoying a spectacular season with Burnley, and absolutely looks like a future number one at St James’ Park.
However, he would arrive at a club that has a wealth of goalkeeping options. Newcastle already have Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie.
On top of that, the Magpies announced on Thursday evening that Dubravka has signed a contract extension.
With that in mind, some Newcastle United fans have speculated on X that Trafford’s expected arrival raises questions surrounding Nick Pope’s future at the club.
He has been Eddie Howe’s first choice ever since his £10million arrival from Burnley, but some supporters think Trafford’s arrival could result in the England international leaving.
One supporter asked: “If that’s the case, with Dubravka having signed an extension, must mean Pope on the way out along with the Greek guy?”
A second Newcastle United fan asked a similar question: “Surely Trafford’s arrival means the end of Pope?”
Meanwhile, this Toon supporter was more forthright about Pope leaving, writing: “Trafford signing in the summer. Dubravka signing a new deal. Pope must be off in the summer – he deserves to be a number one.”
A fourth member of the Toon Army posted: “With Dubravka staying you’d expect Pope to leave. Wonder if the idea of a Trafford/Pope swap has arisen in talks?”
“Honestly can’t complain about either. But with the Trafford news, surely Pope is gone in the summer?” asked this Newcastle United supporter.
Finally, this fan summed up the situation: “The club have been set on Trafford for a while. Once he fills out I’m sure he will be a top GK for many years but needs to bulk up quickly if he’s to be our no1 next season. Expecting both Pope and Vlach to be sold this summer.”
Newcastle United need to become better sellers
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Pope.
If Trafford does join Newcastle United, he will arrive with ambitions of being the club’s long-term number one.
Given Newcastle’s PSR situation, there is a constant desire to increase revenue and become better sellers. In that respect, a move away for Pope could make sense. After all, he is the only current Newcastle United goalkeeper who the club could get a decent fee for.
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