Money is and is not the issue in Newcastle United’s quest to sign a new goalkeeper.
The Magpies were initially trying to bring in Giorgi Mamardashvili, but eventually decided that £35million was too much to pay for a player who would challenge Nick Pope for a place in Newcastle United‘s starting XI.
With no European football meaning less games and less chance of rotating, Newcastle changed their approach. They have decided to move for a goalkeeper who would be an out-and-out number two, with James Trafford their primary target.
It has been reported that he is keen on the move, and that is no surprise. While he would initially be backup, there is the lure of eventually taking Pope’s place in between the sticks and being first choice for a club that has Champions League ambitions.
It will take a lot of work for Trafford to reach that level, but the potential is certainly there. And he will also have the backing of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, who described the 21-year-old as ‘outstanding‘ last summer.
His words should encourage Toon fans about this deal, although a fee still needs to be agreed with Burnley.
Wages not an issue as Newcastle pursue James Trafford
While Mamardashvili was too expensive, Burnley want more for Trafford than what Newcastle are willing to pay.
The Clarets are looking to receive £20million, whereas Newcastle have only offered £16million, a lot of which was made up of add-ons.
A compromise will need to be reached, but there will be no such financial concerns when it comes to wages.
That is according to the Chronicle, who report that Newcastle will not have any issues when it comes to meeting Trafford’s wage demands. They add that he currently earns £40,000-a-week at Burnley.
A move to Newcastle would likely result in a pay rise, but it will not be beyond what the Magpies are willing to pay. For reference, Newcastle reportedly pay Martin Dubravka £40,000-a-week right now, and he is the man who Trafford would be replacing.
What is a problem in Newcastle’s bid to sign Trafford
Wages are not an issue, but the fee is. And Burnley’s stance is made more complicated by Manchester City.
That is who Burnley bought Trafford from last season, costing £15million. But, according to the Chronicle, that deal also included a sell-on clause, meaning Man City will receive a percentage of whatever Newcastle pay the Clarets.
Hypothetically, if Burnley agreed to sell Trafford to Newcastle for £16million, which is what Toon officials offered, they would be putting themselves in a position where they could possibly make a financial loss.
That is why they want a fee nearer to £20million, which is not so far away that it puts him out of Newcastle’s reach.
It is a situation that the Magpies know all too well, having encountered a similar challenge when they negotiated a deal for Tino Livramento with Southampton last summer. That was complicated by a sell-on clause that Chelsea had, with the right-back eventually arriving at St James’ Park for £32million.
Despite the sell-on clause, a deal was agreed, and Newcastle will hope they reach the same conclusion with Burnley and their pursuit of Trafford.
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