Sky Sports confirm ‘done deal’ for James Trafford ‘replacement’ amid £40m Newcastle United talks
Burnley Nearing Deal for New Goalkeeper Amid Renewed Newcastle Interest in James Trafford
Burnley are on the verge of bringing in a new goalkeeper, with reports suggesting a deal is nearly complete for Karlsruher SC’s highly-rated shot-stopper Max Weiß. The move comes at a time when interest in their current first-choice keeper, James Trafford, is once again heating up—particularly from Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Newcastle have long admired Trafford and were close to securing his services during the previous summer transfer window. However, negotiations collapsed due to complications involving Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). At the time, Nottingham Forest were pushing for a multi-club deal involving the inclusion of Greek international Odysseas Vlachodimos, as part of a wider arrangement that saw Elliot Anderson move to the City Ground. The complexity of the situation scuppered Trafford’s proposed move to Tyneside, leaving the young goalkeeper to stay at Turf Moor for another season.
Remaining at Burnley ultimately proved to be a blessing in disguise for Trafford. The 22-year-old played an instrumental role in the Clarets’ successful campaign to bounce straight back to the Premier League. His performances were nothing short of outstanding, as he set a new Championship record by keeping 29 clean sheets while conceding just 16 goals across the entire season. Those displays have not gone unnoticed, and his valuation has now risen to around £40 million.
Despite the increased price tag, Newcastle have reportedly re-entered the race for Trafford’s signature. Though central defence and the right wing remain higher priorities in their summer recruitment plans, the Magpies are keeping a close eye on the situation and could revisit the move later in the window if circumstances change.
In a potentially telling development, Burnley appear to be preparing for life after Trafford. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, the club has all but sealed the signing of Max Weiß from German side Karlsruher SC. The 21-year-old goalkeeper is reportedly joining for a fee of €5 million (approximately £4.2 million), having agreed to a four-year contract that runs until the summer of 2029. Medical examinations are scheduled for Monday, after which the deal is expected to be officially completed.
Weiß, regarded as one of the brightest young goalkeeping prospects in Germany, is seen by Burnley as a long-term project. While he is likely to serve as a back-up to Trafford in the short term, the club believes he has the potential to become their number one in the future. Plettenberg wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):
“EXCL | Max Weiß to Burnley is considered a done deal! A full agreement has been reached between Burnley and Karlsruher. Transfer fee: €5 million all-in. Medical scheduled for Monday. Contract until 2029. Burnley believe the talented 21-year-old goalkeeper has the potential to become their long-term number one.”
Meanwhile, James Trafford’s desire to join Newcastle remains strong. The England U21 international has previously spoken openly about how close he came to making the move last summer and how disappointed he was when it fell through. Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, Trafford admitted that the opportunity felt like the right fit for him and made it clear that the motivation for the move wasn’t about escaping the Championship.
“In the summer, I think people knew I wanted to move,” Trafford revealed. “The club I was close to going to—Newcastle—it was a really good fit. I believed in it, and I felt it was the right time. I wasn’t trying to leave because I didn’t want to play in the Championship—I have no ego about that. It’s not about the level; it’s about proving yourself. You only prove things through performances.”
With Burnley planning for the future and Newcastle still searching for a long-term successor to Nick Pope, the door could reopen for Trafford to finally get his Premier League move. Whether the two clubs can come to an agreement remains to be seen, but the signing of Max Weiß might just be the first piece of the puzzle falling into place.