Newcastle are interested in signing Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford to compete with Nick Pope.
According to Mail Sport, the 21-year-old is regarded as a player who may challenge their existing No.1 rather than replace him, and he has admirers at St James’ Park. The Magpies believe Pope is still good enough to start next season as first choice, but given his previous injury record, which saw him miss 23 league games last season, they are willing to bring in another keeper this summer.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale is on the list of potential targets, but sources claim the asking price is now too high. Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili is another highly regarded player, however, like Ramsdale, the sum is expected to be at least £30 million. Trafford, on the other hand, would be offered for roughly £20 million, with some of the cost offset by future incentives.
Newcastle are again having to manage finances with consideration for spending rules, especially as they will not be playing European football next season.
And that is a blow in attracting any goalkeeper to the club, given the loss of the extra games in which an alternative stopper can play.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in Trafford, who joined Burnley for £15m from Manchester City last summer. He is part of England’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
