Newcastle have now opened talks to sign a player who is currently in England’s UEFA EURO 2024 squad.
The Magpies have faces complications in negotiations to sign another target – with Eddie Howe now ready to walk away from discussions and pursue an alternative.
So, who have Newcastle now opened talks to sign? Let’s take a look…
Newcastle open talks to sign James Trafford
A story by the Northern Echo now claims that Newcastle have started talks to sign Burnley No.1 James Trafford after Valencia made a deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili tough.
The Magpies had allegedly submitted a £35m bid for the Georgia international having initially seen an offer worth £21m rejected by the Spanish side.
Now – instead of improving that bid again – Newcastle have started talks to sign Trafford.
The 21-year-old is currently in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for UEFA EURO 2024, although many expect him to be cut from the final 26-man selection after a difficult 2023/24 campaign with Burnley.
Trafford – who the Clarets signed from Manchester City for £15m in July 2023, according to the Northern Echo – kept only two clean sheets in 28 Premier League appearances last season, conceding 62 goals as Vincent Kompany dropped him for the final ten games.
Nevertheless, Newcastle see potential in the Greysouthen-born glovesman, and are also wary of overspending on Mamardashvili when Nick Pope could feasibly be No.1 for most of next season.
Howe simply wants to find a capable deputy amid doubts over the future of Martin Dubravka, and the release of Loris Karius.
The Northern Echo add that Aaron Ramsdale has also been considered – although Trafford is available for a much lower price than the England international and Mamardashvili.
Unfortunately, the report does not state how much Burnley want to sell the Englishman, although those at Turf Moor do expect him to leave this summer.
Deal for Burnley No.1 makes a lot more sense
In our view, signing Trafford to play backup to Pope makes a lot more sense than spending heavily on either Mamardashvili or Ramsdale.
Pope is still only 32 years of age and remains one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, so a younger option like Trafford – who can learn from the England international and then eventually take over – makes more sense than splashing on a big name, who will expect to start regularly.
Furthermore, any money saved on abandoning the pursuit of Mamardashvili can be put towards strengthening other areas, with Howe also said to be keen on deals for Jarrod Bowen and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
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Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Newcastle and Burnley hold talks over Trafford.