Newcastle United have already agreed personal terms with 'exceptional' player

United first attempted to sign the 21-year-old in mid-June when the Clarets rejected a £16million bid, instead demanding north of £20m. Trafford had reportedly agreed personal terms but a transfer didn’t progress as circumstances changed.

With the Magpies in dire need to raise funds before June 30 to avoid breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Yankuba Minteh was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion and academy graduate Elliot Anderson joined Nottingham Forest for a combined £68million.

As part of Anderson’s £35m switch to the City Ground, Newcastle agreed to sign Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for an undisclosed fee while they also announced the capture of John Ruddy on a one-year contract after he left Birmingham City.

Newcastle, however, retain an interest in Trafford, as per the Daily Mail, and could relaunch a move for him before Friday’s transfer deadline - if Vlachodimos or Martin Dubravka leave. As it stands, Eddie Howe’s squad has five senior goalkeepers, including Nick Pope and Mark Gillespie.

Dubravka missed Sunday's draw at AFC Bournemouth after suffering concussion in training, but there was no explanation for Vlachodimos' absence, with Ruddy named as back-up to Pope. Tellingly, the latter was also left out of the squad for the opening day win against Southampton.

It’s understood Vlachodimos could leave on loan with Anderlecht showing interest while speculation has surrounded Dubravka’s future all summer.

Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell made the short trip to the Stadium of Light on Saturday to watch Trafford as Burnley lost 1-0 to Sunderland.

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Asked on Trafford earlier this month, Clarets boss Parker said: "What you need to understand is that speculation is speculation. James is here and James has got the shirt, hence why he played.

“To answer your question, is he the number one, at this moment in time he is. What happens in the future? I don't know, I can’t answer that. He’s another one that had a tough season last year but he’s an exceptional keeper."