James Trafford makes Newcastle United U-turn as £27m transfer & five-year deal agreed

Newcastle United have missed out on another long-term target.

Having watched the likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro join Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitike move to Liverpool, the Magpies have now lost out on Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford to Manchester City.

Eddie Howe’s side were close to agreeing a fee for Trafford less than a month ago but Burnley unexpectedly moved the goalposts. Since then, progress has been slow.

Still, there remained an air of confidence and somewhat expectation that a deal would be agreed. Trafford first agreed to join Newcastle in June 2024, with that verbal agreement still in place this summer.

That was until last week when Man City signalled their interest in re-signing the 22-year-old. As Newcastle talks stalled, City talks progressed with a club-to-club agreement now in place.

Manchester City agree deal for James Trafford

According to Fabrizio Romano, Pep Guardiola’s side have negotiated a deal below the £40m buy-back clause, with Trafford agreeing to return to his former club.

“EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go! Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause,” Romano wrote on X.

“Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him. Newcastle are also informed about Trafford’s decision.”

The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims Man City have activated their matching rights on Newcastle’s £27m offer with Trafford set to put pen to paper on a five-year contract.

James Trafford favoured Man City over Newcastle United

Despite agreeing to join Newcastle for the best part of a year, Trafford has made a U-turn by favouring a return to Man City, where he spent eight years as an academy player before leaving without making a senior appearance.

Had it not been for Newcastle’s issues with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Trafford would have moved to St James’ Park for around £20m last summer.

The Magpies, however, were forced to pull out of a deal when Nottingham Forest demanded that Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos was included in the PSR swindle that saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground.

To put it simply, it was either sign Vlachodimos or breach PSR and receive an inevitable points deduction.

James Trafford opens up on failed 2024 Newcastle United move

Opening up on last year’s failed move to Newcastle, 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.”

Newcastle United’s current view on goalkeeper situation

The Magpies are understood to be comfortable with their current goalkeeping situation, meaning they won’t be rushed into finding an alternative if they lose out on Trafford.

As it stands, Nick Pope is the number one, supported by Martin Dubravka. Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie complete the five-man goalkeeper department.

YOUR NEXT READ: Sky Sports issue £35m Newcastle United transfer update as deal nears conclusion.

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