It has been a pretty active start for Newcastle United in the transfer market this summer.
Indeed, the fact the window does not open until Friday, June 14 does not appear to have stopped Newcastle in their bid to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad.
Lloyd Kelly is reportedly closing in on a move to St James’ Park on a free transfer, while the club also tried to land Tosin Adarabioyo in an aggressive summer recruitment drive.
Obviously, the fact Adarabioyo has ended up at Chelsea is a blow but it was an indication as to the urgency on Tyneside ahead of next season.
The signing of a new goalkeeper is also believed to be high up on the agenda.
While Nick Pope is keen to stay and will surely take some ousting in the No.1 spot, the options behind him are changing.
Loris Karius has left, while Martin Dubravka will reportedly be allowed to depart.
Mark Gillespie has recently signed a new deal but given the fact he’s only ever made three senior appearances for the first-team, it would be quite the surprise to see him suddenly thrust into the picture behind Pope.
As you can imagine, plenty of names have been linked.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is thought to be a target, along with Valencia stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
James Trafford of Burnley is also said to have been the subject of a £16m bid from the Magpies.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has shared where the priority lies.
Fabrizio Romano reveals what Newcastle’s priority is in the transfer market
Romano says Trafford has emerged as the leading target due to the expense required to sign either Ramsdale or Mamardashvili.
He wrote in his CaughtOffside column: “Burnley’s James Trafford is a priority for Eddie Howe as the Newcastle manager looks to add to his goalkeeper position this summer. The Magpies also like Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili but both are considered too expensive.
“Newcastle will now enter club-to-club talks with Burnley, so let’s see how it goes. Whatever fee they agree on for the England star, Man City will receive 20% of any future sale.”
Newcastle will have big competition to sign James Trafford this summer
Signing Trafford, however, is unlikely to be easy.
In fact it has previously been reported by The Sun that sources actually see Chelsea winning the race for the England U21 international, having also won the battle to sign Adarabioyo.
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