£30m target has already said yes to Newcastle United move after verbal agreement & Premier League claim

James Trafford has already indicated that he is ready to join Newcastle United after being sold the move a year ago.

Trafford was set to sign for the Magpies last summer only for the deal to be pulled when it became apparent Nottingham Forest would demand Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the PSR-satisfying swindle that saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground.

With John Ruddy also arriving a couple of days later, it meant Newcastle headed into the 2024-25 season with five senior goalkeepers. However, movement is expected in the coming months.

Newcastle United open talks with Burnley for James Trafford

Ruddy’s contract expires on June 30 and it is understood Martin Dubravka and Vlachodimos will be allowed to leave if suitable offers arrive. But NewcastleWorld understands Nick Pope is going nowhere with the plan for Trafford to rival him for the number one jersey.

Indeed, Trafford remains a top priority for Eddie Howe. As reported by Sky Sports News, talks between United and Burnley are underway with the 22-year-old valued upwards of £30million.

Newcastle were quoted £20m for Trafford last summer, however his heroics in helping the Clarets earn automatic promotion from the Championship has increased his price. He kept 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals, including 12 consecutive clean sheets between December and March.

James Trafford has already said yes to Newcastle United move

While negotiations take place over a transfer fee, personal terms won’t be an issue. Trafford agreed on everything last summer and that “verbal pact is still valid” according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Without naming Newcastle directly, the Cockermouth-born goalkeeper spoke on a podcast last week and revealed how desperate he was to make the move.

“In the summer I think people knew I wanted to move,” Trafford told Fozcast. “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.”

Newcastle United share James Trafford’s ambitions

Burnley are heavily tipped to be battling relegation in the upcoming campaign while Newcastle will be aiming to compete at the top of the table and in the Champions League. And that aligns with Trafford’s ambitions - further evidence that he is ready to make the switch to the North East.

Trafford added: “That’s where I’ve always been aiming for, the top of the Prem. Everyone wants to go there, everyone wants to play there.

“To get there you have to play games, improve and get to a level where you do go back, to wherever I end up, whenever, to make sure I’m ready for it and I’m the best equipped to perform.”

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