Newcastle United get ultimate seal of approval for ‘brilliant’ transfer after ……
Shay Given Praises Newcastle United Target James Trafford, Calling Him a ‘Brilliant’ Talent and Potential ‘Great Addition’
Newcastle United legend Shay Given has lavished praise on Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, describing the highly-rated shot-stopper as a “brilliant” young talent who would be a “great addition” to the Magpies’ squad, should the club complete a move for him this summer.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper has once again emerged as a top target for Newcastle, with renewed discussions taking place between the club and Burnley over a potential deal. The Tyneside club had previously shown strong interest in Trafford last summer, but a move failed to materialize. However, the interest has remained, and Trafford himself recently admitted that he felt Newcastle would have been a “good fit” for him a year ago and that he “really believed” in making the switch at the time.
Newcastle now find themselves in a stronger financial position, potentially putting them in a better place to negotiate a deal. However, Trafford’s value has significantly risen after a record-breaking campaign in the Championship with Burnley. He enjoyed a standout season that saw him cement his status as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in English football.
Trafford played a pivotal role in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League, keeping an impressive 29 clean sheets — a tally that equals the record for the most shutouts in a single English league season. He also made history by recording 12 consecutive clean sheets, setting a new Championship benchmark. Across the campaign, he conceded just 16 goals, underlining both his consistency and composure under pressure.
Burnley’s strong stance in negotiations is bolstered by Trafford’s stellar performances, which have increased both his profile and transfer value. As it stands, there is still a discrepancy between the two clubs’ valuations of the goalkeeper, but Trafford has already earned the approval of one of Newcastle’s most iconic players.
Shay Given, widely regarded as Newcastle’s greatest goalkeeper, weighed in on the speculation while speaking to the media at a press conference ahead of the Magpies’ upcoming pre-season clash with Celtic next month.
“I genuinely believe the goalkeeping department at Newcastle is in a solid place right now,” Given said. “Nick Pope has been excellent since arriving, Martin Dubravka brings a wealth of experience, and Mark Gillespie has just signed a new contract. That said, I know Eddie Howe is always looking to strengthen every area of the squad where possible.”
When asked specifically about Trafford, Given didn’t hold back in his praise. “James is a brilliant young goalkeeper — there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “I think a number of clubs are keeping a close eye on him, and rightly so. He’s had an outstanding season and broken some really impressive records in the Championship.”
Despite his admiration for the player, Given also acknowledged the financial realities Newcastle must consider. “I’m not sure if a goalkeeper is the top priority for Newcastle right now given the budget constraints they might be working under, but if the opportunity arises, Trafford would certainly be a fantastic addition to any Premier League side,” he said with a smile. “That’s probably the diplomatic way to put it!”
With Trafford’s stock continuing to rise and Newcastle’s interest persisting, the coming weeks could be crucial in determining whether the highly-rated England hopeful makes the switch to St James’ Park. One thing is clear: he already has a major fan in the club’s goalkeeping hall of fame.