‘Not a priority’ - Newcastle United legend sends Eddie Howe transfer warning over £30m star

Eddie Howe is understood to be a long-term admirer of the Clarets shot-stopper. Personal terms were agreed last summer but the Magpies and Burnley failed to reach an agreement over the fee.

Burnley reportedly demanded £20million - a price tag that has likely risen over the last 12 months. Trafford has been named Championship Team of the Season and is on course to scoop the EFL’s Golden Glove award for his 29 clean sheets.

Scott Parker’s men have astonishingly conceded just 15 goals all season as they confirmed their Premier League return last week. Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed the personal terms accepted a year ago are still in play providing Newcastle can strike a deal with Burnley.

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Toon legend Given believes Trafford is a “brilliant” goalie and his double-penalty-save heroics against Sunderland earlier this season will already endear him to Newcastle fans. He told NewcastleWorld: “He's a brilliant keeper. Well, not so young now, not really young, but he's still obviously learning his trade. He had a tough time when Burnley got promoted, getting dropped towards the second half of the season, but he's gone away and bounced back unbelievably well this year in the Championship.

“He’s made so many different clean sheets and big performances as well. I remember him saving two penalties against Sunderland. That was pretty special, so the Newcastle fans will remember that, I'm sure. He's had a brilliant season, hasn't he? There'll be a few clubs looking at James Trafford but Burnley will be desperate to keep all of them because they're in the Premier League now.”

However, Given is unsure whether the Magpies should be focusing on a new goalkeeper. Eddie Howe has Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka fighting for the No.1 jersey, with Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie in reserve.

“People say they're linked with other goalkeepers but I don't think it's a priority because Dubravka has signed and Nick Pope has a contract,” Given added. “They’ve got quite a few goalkeepers on the books and I think there’s other areas that are a priority.

“It'll be interesting to see what happens there but, again, I don't think it's (goalkeeping position) a priority. Eddie Howe might have different priorities, I don't know, but he (Trafford) is a brilliant keeper. There’s no getting away from that.”

James Trafford responded to Newcastle United speculation

Trafford was grilled on his Burnley future following their promotion last week. He said: "I've got an incredibly good circle around me. It's very small but it's incredibly good. When the season ends I'll go on holiday and relax from football and then I'll start getting ready for the national team in the summer.

"I don't go on my phone too much. I'm not naive enough to say I don't see any of the noise around me but it doesn't bother me. Whatever happens will happen. I've done all I can this season."

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