Newcastle were ‘led to believe’ they would be able to sign £35m player this summer

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Newcastle United are going to sign a goalkeeper this summer, but the type of goalkeeper they want has shifted in recent weeks.

It initially looked like a big name was being targeted, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Aaron Ramsdale linked with moves to St James’ Park.

Both players would arrive with ambitions of being number one, and would challenge Nick Pope for a place in the Newcastle United starting XI.

But now the Magpies are lowering their expectations, and are trying to bring in a stopper who will be an understudy to Pope. That is why James Trafford appears to be Newcastle’s main target now, with personal terms reportedly agreed with the 21-year-old.

Talk of Trafford arriving on Tyneside has sparked debate amongst fans, many of which do not believe he is good enough after seeing him struggle in a Burnley shirt. However, others will point towards his potential, with the likes of Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon previously explaining why they think Trafford is a top class goalkeeper.

Newcastle’s goalkeeper ‘preference’ was Giorgi Mamardashvili

But while Trafford is the priority right now, that may not have been the case a month ago.

That is according to the Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson, who has spoke to the Fully Loaded Transfer Show about Newcastle’s attempt to sign Mamardashvili from Valencia before moving for Trafford.

“I think Newcastle’s preference a month ago was Mamardashvili,” he said.

“And I think they were led to believe that there potentially was a deal to be done with Valencia.

“It became pretty evident early on in discussions with Valencia that actually that deal was going to be way more difficult and way more expensive that Newcastle had been led to believe. And that’s before Mamardashvili heads off to the Euros with Georgia, where he could do well and see his value go higher.

“I’m led to believe Newcastle already feel his value is too high and beyond what they want to pay.”

Newcastle forced to pivot

There have been a lot of stories about Newcastle trying to sign Mamardashvili, particularly from the Spanish press. It was even claimed that a £35million bid had been submitted, but that seemingly was not the case with the Magpies deeming him to be too expensive.

The club must have thought they could get the 23-year-old for less than that, but talks with Valencia proved that would not be the case.

On top of that, Newcastle’s lack of European football means that Howe will not be able to rotate his goalkeepers properly. Therefore, one of Pope or Mamardashvili would have been on the bench every week.

And given the fact that the Georgia international would have cost more than £30million, that is probably a luxury that the Magpies simply cannot afford.

James Trafford keen on Newcastle move

That is why Newcastle have altered their approach, and are now trying to sign James Trafford from Burnley.

That deal feels very likely at this stage, with Wilson adding that the former Manchester City youngster is keen on a move to the North East.

“My understanding is that the initial talks that there’s been with Newcastle and Burnley lead Newcastle to believe that there is a deal there that can be done.

“Trafford’s obviously been away with England and didn’t make the cut, so dialogue with him has been more difficult. But the feeling is that he would be very keen to come to Newcastle.

“As things look at the minute, that is a deal that is likelier to happen than not happen.”