Fabrizio Romano drops James Trafford bombshell as personal terms agreed with Newcastle United
Manchester City are considering joining Newcastle United in the race to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
Newcastle United’s long-term pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford has taken a major twist.
Trafford was set to sign for the Magpies last summer but a deal was pulled when Nottingham Forest demanded Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the PSR swindle that saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground.
The 22-year-old stayed at Turf Moor and enjoyed a record-breaking campaign in the Championship as he kept 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals to help the Clarets earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Newcastle resumed talks with Burnley earlier this summer and as reported by NewcastleWorld were close to agreeing a fee for Trafford earlier this month before the sellers moved the goalposts.
In the last couple of weeks, things have gone quiet. Now transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has dropped a huge bombshell.
Fabrizio Romano drops James Trafford bombshell
As per Romano, Manchester City are considering re-signing Trafford, if Ederson or Stefan Ortega depart in the next six weeks. Both goalkeepers are out of contract in 2026, with Ederson linked with Turkish side Galatasaray.
Man City sold Trafford to Burnley for £19m two years ago, with the agreement understood to have included a buy-back clause.
That buy-back clause, as reported by Mail Online earlier this year, is said to be in excess of £40m. Talks between Newcastle and the Clarets have centred around a £35m fee.
Romano wrote: “EXCL: Manchester City considering move for James Trafford to return to the club this summer… …but only if one of their two main GKs leaves. Contacts took place in the recent days as Man City have buy back clause, this is why Newcastle deal is not sealed yet.”
James Trafford opens up on failed Newcastle United
Trafford has already agreed personal terms over a move to St James’ Park but the delay in negotiating a fee could see Man City swoop in.
The former Bolton Wanderers loanee recently spoke publicly about his want to join Newcastle last summer.
Trafford told Fozcast: “In the summer I think people knew I wanted to move. “The club that I was close to going, it was a good fit for me. It was brilliant for me and I really believed in it.
“I wanted to move, not just because I didn’t want to play in the Championship, I had no shame playing in the Championship. I have no ego to think I’m better than the Championship. You only prove something by performing and showing people. You can say whatever you want but unless you perform.
“It was just when an opportunity and a situation you think suits you can happen, you should take it and you should try and go for it, so I wanted to move. It was close but it didn’t end up happening.
“The manager was brilliant throughout pre-season. I wasn’t the best, I was moody because I’m young and I wanted to move, but in the moment I still worked extremely hard.
“I knew the longer it went on, the reality became I would be playing the first game of the season and I wanted to play. I told the manager I’m available if he wanted to select me. If not, I’ll sit on the bench, but I’m available. He played me the first game and that was it.”