Newcastle United hold talks over £59m Chelsea target — agent due in England for face-to-face meeting

Newcastle United have been linked with a goalkeeper this week - and it isn’t James Trafford.

The Magpies tried to sign Trafford last summer and whilst a move didn’t come to fruition, they have continued to scout the Burnley star during his record-breaking Championship promotion-winning season.

It has been regularly suggested that United will make a fresh move for Trafford this summer. However, a new name has emerged in recent days.

Newcastle United show interest interest in Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel

According to Foot Mercato, Newcastle and Chelsea have both been in contact with the representatives of Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

The Switzerland international has spent the whole of senior career in Germany, starting with Hoffenheim before moving to Stuttgart. He then joined Dortmund in 2021 for a reported £13million.

In his four years with Dortmund, the 27-year-old has twice been named in the Bundesliga’s team of the season, as well as the Champions League’s team of the season after reaching the final of the competition last year.

It was during that Champions League campaign that Kobel featured in both group games against Newcastle. Dortmund won 1-0 at St James’ Park before winning 2-0 at the Signal Induna Park.

It’s claimed Kobel’s agent is expected to travel to London this week to hold talks with both clubs. Dortmund are braced for his exit and have already signed his replacement after bringing in from Diant Ramaj from Ajax in January.

While it is unclear how much Kobel will cost, the report adds says Chelsea are willing to pay around £59m.

Newcastle United eye new goalkeeper

The goalkeeping department is an area Newcastle are keen to bolster, despite there being five senior goalkeepers on the books.

Nick Pope is current number one but at 33 years of age, United want to identify a long-term replacement and that must be someone who is a comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Meanwhile, the futures of Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos are uncertain heading into the summer, while Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy are out of contract. Both could be handed new deals, though are extremely unlikely to make a first-team appearance.

Newcastle United’s long-term interest in James Trafford

Newcastle had a £16million bid rejected for Trafford last June as Burnley held out for upwards of £20m.

It’s understood Trafford agreed personal terms over a move to St James’ Park and that “verbal pact is still valid” according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. However, they now face paying more than last summer’s valuation with the Clarets’ promotion back to the Premier League putting them in a much stronger negotiating position.

The 22-year-old has broken records in the Championship this campaign, keeping 29 clean sheets in 44 appearances and conceding just 15 goals. Between December and March, Trafford went 12 consecutive matches without conceding, while he was the division’s Player of the Month in January, a month in which he saved two penalties in the same game against Sunderland.

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