Newcastle United transfer twist after seeing £27m bid accepted

Newcastle United agreed a fee with Burnley for James Trafford only for Manchester City to play their power card.

Just two years after leaving, Trafford is closing in on a return to Man City in a deal worth £27million. The England goalkeeper has agreed a five-year contract, which includes an option of a sixth year, ahead of undergoing his medical next week.

Trafford goes down as another top target missed by Newcastle having already seen the likes of Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Liam Delap (Chelsea), Joao Pedro (Chelsea) and Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) move elsewhere.

Newcastle United’s long-term pursuit of James Trafford

Trafford had agreed to come to Newcastle for the best part of a year. He was set to sign last summer, but a deal was pulled when Eddie Howe’s side were forced to sign Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of the PSR swindle with Nottingham Forest that saw Elliot Anderson head in the opposite direction.

The 22-year-old stayed at Turf Moor and kept a record 29 clean sheets as the Clarets achieved immediate promotion back to the Premier League. Newcastle returned to the table at the beginning of the summer and a deal was expected to be thrashed out.

But for the past month, things had gone quiet. And last week, it became clear why.

Manchester City use matching rights clause after NUFC accepted bid

Man City indicated their interest in re-signing Trafford and from that point on, Newcastle were facing an uphill task due to the number of clauses inserted into the agreement that took the player to Burnley in 2023.

It was widely known that Man City had negotiated a £40m buy-back clause and a 20% future sell-on fee. However, earlier this week, the Manchester Evening News revealed details of a third clause, giving the Citizens the right to match any accepted bids.

Now, the same publication claims Newcastle did have a £27m bid accepted this week, which prompted Man City to exercise their matching rights. And to add a final plot twist to this long transfer saga, the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope claims Pep Guardiola’s side matched the bid just ONE HOUR before the deadline.

James Trafford opens up on failed 2024 Newcastle United move

Opening up on last year’s failed move to Newcastle, Trafford 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.”

Newcastle United’s current view on goalkeeper situation

The Magpies are understood to be comfortable with their current goalkeeping situation, meaning they won’t be rushed into finding an alternative after losing out on Trafford.

As it stands, Nick Pope is the number one, supported by Martin Dubravka. Odysseas Vlachodimos is third choice with John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie completing the five-man goalkeeper department.

YOUR NEXT READ: 'Right choice' - Hugo Ekitike reveals reasons for snubbing Newcastle United in favour of £79m Liverpool move.

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