Newcastle United serious about signing ‘next Manuel Neuer’ but £40m fee the stumbling block
Newcastle United have begun negotiations with Burnley for goalkeeper James Trafford.
England and Premier League legend Ashley Cole previously compared James Trafford to goalkeeping icon Manuel Neuer as Newcastle United links intensify.
As Three Lions under-21s coach, the former Chelsea star watched from the sidelines as Trafford saved a stoppage-time penalty to clinch the Euros two years ago. Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon also starred as the Player of the Tournament.
Toon chiefs have opened negotiations for the Burnley goalie - considered their No.1 transfer target between the sticks. While the bulk of personal terms were agreed last summer, the Daily Mail claims a deal is some way off as the Clarets want closer to £40million.
James Trafford keen on Newcastle United
Trafford is understood to be keen on the move after helping Burnley secure an instant Premier League return. His record-breaking 29 clean sheets resulted in Scott Parker's men conceding just 16 goals all season.
Eddie Howe is keen to add a young goalkeeper for the future who can add a fresh dynamic to his team by playing out from the back. On the Football’s Greatest podcast, ex-Chelsea winger Joe Cole opened up about watching German great Neuer - considered one of the best ever - in action.
Former England trio on James Trafford
“I watched Manuel Neuer once dominate a game in possession,” he said. “I was like ‘What am I seeing here?’ I’m used to watching (Andrea) Pirlo or Xavi.”
This provoked a response from his namesake, Ashley, who credited Trafford as having similar attributes. He said: “But that’s the quality that Traff (Trafford) has. In the under-21s Euros, we really used Traff (in possession) to get out the other side.
“He'll wait and pause on the ball, waiting for pressure to come. More often than not, 90 per cent (of the time) he’s making the right decision.”
Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott highlighted Trafford’s shot-stopping ability and confidence to test himself against the big hitters. He added: “And if he wants to turn it on, when we’re with the seniors, we did the finishing (drills). It’s obviously like Harry Kane and elite players, and he’s (Trafford) gone ‘Let me show you’. He let us all know he can make saves.”
James Trafford about Newcastle United breakdown
Speaking last week, the 22-year-old was honest about being disappointed at not joining the Magpies last summer. He 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.”