Newcastle United in talks to sign cheaper James Trafford alternative - £20m bid already rejected
Newcastle United have reportedly held talks over signing a goalkeeper who isn’t James Trafford.
Manchester City’s James Trafford remains Newcastle United’s number one target, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t looking at other alternatives.
The Magpies tried to sign Trafford from Burnley in 2024 and 2025 and agreed terms with the player on both occasions, only for Manchester City to swoop in and activate their matching rights clause to re-sign the 23-year-old for £26million last summer.
Trafford first left Man City for the Clarets in 2023 and, after completing his return, was expecting to be their number one. However, Gianluigi Donnarumma later arrived from Paris Saint-Germain, limiting Trafford to just 17 appearances last season.
The Cumbrian-born goalkeeper has openly admitted to considering his future. Now that his involvement in the World Cup is over, his future is set to become clearer in the coming weeks.
Newcastle have already registered their interest, but are likely to face competition.
Newcastle United in talks over Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper
According to Mail Online, the Magpies have also held talks over signing 25-year-old Carl Rushworth from Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion.
Despite spending his entire professional career contracted at Brighton, Rushworth is yet to play a competitive game for the club, having had six different loan spells. He spent last season at Coventry City, playing all 46 league matches as they won the Championship title.
Coventry want to sign Rushworth permanently but have two offers over £20million rejected so far. The report states that Rushworth would be a cheaper alternative to Trafford, who is valued at £30million.