Eddie Howe responds to claims Newcastle United have agreed personal terms with James Trafford

Eddie Howe has responded to the latest noise surrounding Newcastle United’s interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

Newcastle made an attempt to sign the 22-year-old last June but were unable to agree on a fee, with the Clarets holding out for around £20million.

Trafford is enjoying a stellar campaign in the Championship, going 12 matches without conceding a goal. That run includes two late penalty saves against Sunderland last month, endearing himself to Newcastle supporters.

The Magpies will make another move for Trafford this summer and, if reports are true, should be successful in landing him.

The Daily Mail has reported Trafford is expected to complete a transfer to St James’ Park “without any hitches”, while Fabrizio Romano claims a “verbal pact is still valid” after the player agreed personal terms last year.

But when asked about signing Trafford, Howe said: “I don’t believe we are in that position with any player. The summer window is a long way away and we have not begun those discussions.”

James Trafford tipped for a big future

Newcastle have identified Trafford as their future number one, while the player is also tipped to succeed Jordan Pickford at England level.

Speaking last month, Burnley manager Scott Parker said: “In terms of what we’ve seen from him, this is a boy with absolutely humongous potential. I still think there’s so much more to come from him.

“I’ve got nothing but positives to say about James. When I first came in there were some struggles and he came out the back of a season last year that was difficult for Traf, a young boy, going into that division, he had some hard times.

“But this is a special keeper with absolutely huge potential. You see that confidence. He believes in himself and to get to that top, top level you have to have that certain belief, that arrogance. He’s got that and he backs it up.

“Over the last four or five months we’ve seen him mature, understanding certain things and (you see that) in the way he went about what he needed to do. He was a guy in the spotlight tonight and I get the impression Traf loved every second of that.”