Newcastle United 'set to sign' 22-year-old - Fabrizio Romano claims personal terms are already agreed

Newcastle United are expected to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford this summer, according to reports.

Trafford agreed personal terms over a move to St James’ Park last June but the Magpies were unable to agree a fee with the Clarets, who valued the 22-year-old at around £20million. United then signed two new goalkeepers with Odysseas Vlachodimos arriving from Nottingham Forest as part of the PSR-forced deal that saw Elliot Anderson move in the opposite direction, while John Ruddy joined as a free agent after leaving Birmingham City.

Newcastle this week handed a new one-year contract to 36-year-old Martin Dubravka, who is rivalling 32-year-old Nick Pope for the number one spot. But Eddie Howe is eyeing a younger option, a goalkeeper that can grow with the club.

James Trafford set to sign?

Trafford remains the man the Magpies want, and, if reports are true, are set to land him. The Daily Mail claims the 22-year-old is expected to complete a move this summer “without any hitches”.

Responding to the Mail’s story, Fabrizio Romano claimed the personal terms Trafford agreed last year are “still valid”. Posting on X, the Italian journalist said: “Newcastle agreed personal terms with James Trafford since summer 2024 and the verbal pact is still valid.

“He’s still top of the list as new GK for Newcastle next season.”

One complicating factor was Manchester City’s buy-back clause, but the Premier League champions are expected to bite. Pep Guardiola’s side Trafford two years ago for £19million but inserted a £40m option to re-sign him.

James Trafford tipped to go to the top

Trafford is currently on an incredible 11-match run without conceding a goal, totalling in over 1,000 minutes since he was last beaten. That run included two late penalty saves against Sunderland last month, endearing himself to Newcastle supporters.

Speaking after the game, Burnley boss Scott Parker tipped Trafford to become England’s number one in the near future.

“I think so. In terms of what we’ve seen from him, this is a boy with absolutely humongous potential. I still think there’s so much more to come from him.

“I’ve got nothing but positives to say about James. When I first came in there were some struggles and he came out the back of a season last year that was difficult for Traf, a young boy, going into that division, he had some hard times.

“But this is a special keeper with absolutely huge potential. You see that confidence. He believes in himself and to get to that top, top level you have to have that certain belief, that arrogance. He’s got that and he backs it up.

“Over the last four or five months we’ve seen him mature, understanding certain things and (you see that) in the way he went about what he needed to do. He was a guy in the spotlight tonight and I get the impression Traf loved every second of that.”