'Next week' - Fabrizio Romano issue major Newcastle United transfer update as £40m talks underway
Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Newcastle United’s pursuit of James Trafford.
Newcastle United are ready to step up their pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
The 22-year-old was set to move to St James’ Park last summer but a deal was pulled when Nottingham Forest demanded Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the PSR swindle that saw academy graduate Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground.
Trafford stayed with the Clarets and played a starring role in their promotion back to the Premier League, keeping a record 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals.
Meanwhile, Nick Pope continued as the Magpies’ number one with Martin Dubravka stepping up between December and January when Pope was sidelined with a knee issue. Eddie Howe’s side enjoyed a historic campaign, winning the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.
Fabrizio Romano issues James Trafford update
Trafford remains Newcastle’s top goalkeeper target and according to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between them and Burnley are underway and a move could “accelerate” next week. The Clarets are understood to value the England man around £40million but could be negotiated down.
Romano wrote on X: “Negotiations between Newcastle and Burnley for James Trafford are underway. Club to club talks continue as the deal can happen from July, so expected to accelerate from next week.”
The Magpies agreed personal terms with Trafford last year. Romano has previously claimed that the verbal pact is “still valid”.
James Trafford still keen on Newcastle United move
Trafford is understood to still be keen on a move to Tyneside after publicly admitting last month he wanted the move last summer.
“In the summer I think people knew I wanted to move,” Trafford told Fozcast. “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.”
James Trafford would rival Nick Pope for number one jersey
Should Newcastle push ahead and seal a deal for Trafford, the plan would be for him to rival Pope for the number one jersey.
In May, Howe described Pope as ‘one of the best shotstoppers he has worked with’ and has previously said that he makes saves that not many others can.
Howe said: “Yeah, it may seem funny to say that about a goalkeeper because that is obviously what they are there to do but I do think he’s one of the best shot stoppers I’ve had the privilege to work with.
“He has this ability to get his positioning right and he has long levers, big arms and legs that he manages to get touches on balls some other goalkeepers wouldn’t because of his size and stature. He is also very good from crosses and we are going to need that coming into this game, set plays and all the things Arsenal possess as big strengths.”