“SHOCKING! Newcastle to BURN MILLIONS in DESPERATE Bid for New Goalkeeper – You Won’t Believe the Price!”
Newcastle May Need to Splash Out to Land Burnley’s James Trafford
In the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke shared insights from his sources regarding the future of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
The 22-year-old is being considered by Newcastle United as a long-term replacement for Nick Pope, who has been linked with a potential move away from St James’ Park. However, securing Trafford’s signature will not be straightforward.
On 10 April, Football Insider reported that Newcastle are preparing a formal move for Trafford and may sanction Pope’s departure to accommodate the young keeper.
Despite this, Burnley boss Scott Parker is determined to retain his top players following their promotion to the Premier League. As such, any deal for Trafford would require a substantial fee.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown had previously told Football Insider that Newcastle are determined to sign Trafford regardless of Burnley’s Premier League status.
Shortly after the close of the winter transfer window in February, Brown suggested that the Magpies view Trafford as Pope’s long-term successor.
Trafford enjoyed a standout season in the Championship, conceding only 16 goals across 46 matches—a record low.
He played a crucial role in Burnley’s return to the top flight and has drawn attention for his performances and consistency.
O’Rourke acknowledged that while there are still doubts over Trafford’s readiness for the Premier League, he has earned the opportunity to step up.
“Is James Trafford an upgrade on Nick Pope?” O’Rourke posed. “Pope is a fantastic and commanding goalkeeper, but his distribution with his feet has occasionally let him down.”
He continued, “Trafford has excelled in the Championship, with an impressive defensive record and numerous clean sheets.
He deserves his shot at the top level, even though he’s unproven there.
If Pope moves on, Trafford could be the future. Newcastle, though, will need to ensure they have two strong goalkeepers in the squad.”
O’Rourke also pointed out that Trafford’s previous Premier League experience was brief and underwhelming, which could be a concern.
With Burnley back in the top tier, they now have more leverage, and Newcastle will likely have to pay over the odds to land him.
“It’s a risk worth taking,” O’Rourke concluded, “but Newcastle will have to pay a premium.”
In addition to a new goalkeeper, Newcastle are actively pursuing reinforcements on the wings.
Football Insider has revealed that the Magpies are leading the race to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, ahead of competitors such as Manchester United.
A potential £50 million deal could be struck for the Cameroon international, who is seen as a major upgrade over Jacob Murphy.
Manager Eddie Howe has been an admirer of Mbeumo for some time and is eager to bolster his squad in preparation for Newcastle’s return to the Champions League.
However, Brown also noted that the club may look to offload players to fund the move for Mbeumo, as they aim to balance the books ahead of a busy summer window.
