After disappointment over the weekend, Newcastle United look like they have moved closer to signing Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
Eddie Howe was dealt a major setback in the transfer market on Sunday when it was confirmed that Chelsea had agreed a deal to sign Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian is set to sign a seven-year deal at the West London side after it was revealed Pedro never wanted to join Newcastle United. In the meantime, Newcastle have been hard at work trying to sign Burnley’s James Trafford.
There were conflicting reports on Saturday, with one source saying the James Trafford to Newcastle transfer was nearly done. However, Geordie Boot Boys were informed that Burnley rejected Newcastle’s £26m bid for Trafford.
Burnley are looking for over £30m for Trafford, with the belief being that Manchester City’s 20% sell-on clause is proving to be a problem when it comes to the transfer fee.
Newcastle have not stopped trying for Trafford, and Fabrizio Romano has now just shared a very promising update on their efforts to sign him.
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Newcastle United are very close to an agreement for James Trafford
The deal was almost done in 2024, but it now looks like it will be finalised in 2025 after Trafford’s sensational year in the Championship.
While other deals have collapsed around them, it never looked as though the same fate would occur with Trafford. Personal terms have never been a problem; it has always just been a gap in valuation between the two clubs.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now stated that Newcastle are very close to agreeing a deal with Burnley for Trafford.
On X, Romano said: “Newcastle are closing in on James Trafford deal, final details being sorted! Agreement almost done with Burnley and then it will be here we go. Newcastle are planning to get the deal done very soon.”
While it has not been completely agreed, the deal appears to be heading in the right direction. It may have come due to Newcastle missing out on Pedro, giving them more flexibility to offer Burnley more money for Trafford.
Nick Pope set to stay at Newcastle United despite James Trafford update
With Trafford looking like he will be a Newcastle player next season, it leaves many wondering what the future holds for the Magpies’ existing goalkeepers.
Nick Pope was the Newcastle manager’s first-choice goalkeeper for the majority of the 2024/25 campaign, but Trafford’s arrival will surely put that into jeopardy.
Despite that, Pope has told Howe he wants to stay at Newcastle and is ready to compete with Trafford for the No.1 spot on Tyneside next season. The 33-year-old’s performances in the last couple of months of the season helped Newcastle win their first domestic trophy for 70 years and qualify for the Champions League.
While Pope’s future looks like it will be on Tyneside, it looks likely that Odysseas Vlachodimos will leave Newcastle on loan this summer after playing just 45 minutes for the Magpies last season.
Elsewhere, Martin Dubravka is eager to play first-team football, but is likely to become third-choice once Trafford joins.
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