Newcastle United get green light to complete transfer Eddie Howe has been waiting for
Newcastle United Reignite Pursuit of James Trafford as Burnley Prepare for His Potential Exit
Newcastle United are once again reportedly in advanced talks with Burnley over the potential signing of highly-rated goalkeeper James Trafford. The Magpies have held a long-standing interest in the 22-year-old, having initially tried to secure his signature last summer. At the time, a deal appeared to be close, but Trafford ultimately remained at Turf Moor and played a pivotal role in Burnley’s Championship-winning campaign.
Trafford enjoyed a sensational season in the second tier, setting a new club and league record by keeping 29 clean sheets in 45 appearances. He also conceded just 16 goals throughout the league campaign—an extraordinary return that underlined his credentials as one of England’s most promising young goalkeepers. His commanding presence between the sticks helped Burnley earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Despite missing out last year, Newcastle have continued to monitor Trafford’s development closely and are now preparing a renewed push to bring him to St James’ Park. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between the two Premier League clubs have now resumed and are expected to progress further in the coming days. Talks are set to intensify this week, with the potential for a deal to be finalised as early as July, once the transfer window is fully open.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is understood to be eager to reinforce his goalkeeping department ahead of pre-season, which begins next month. The club view Trafford not only as an ideal competitor for the No.1 jersey but also as a long-term solution between the posts.
Burnley, meanwhile, appear to be preparing for Trafford’s potential departure. Reports from Sky Sport Germany indicate that the Clarets have already secured a replacement, agreeing a deal to sign German goalkeeper Max Weiss from 2. Bundesliga outfit Karlsruher SC. The 21-year-old is expected to undergo a medical and complete his £4.3 million move to Turf Moor early this week. Weiss, who made 34 appearances last season and recorded eight clean sheets, is seen as a goalkeeper with significant upside and long-term potential.
While Weiss may not immediately step into the first-choice role at Burnley, his signing strongly suggests that the club is bracing for life after Trafford. If all goes to plan, that could give Newcastle the green light to wrap up a deal for the England international.
Newcastle’s current first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope has been a reliable presence over the past three seasons, but a handful of high-profile errors in the last campaign have raised questions about his long-term status. Backup keeper Martin Dubravka has shown flashes of quality—particularly in cup competitions—but he does not appear to be viewed as a permanent solution. Veteran goalkeepers such as John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos have also been linked with the club but are unlikely to provide the same long-term value as Trafford.
The potential arrival of Trafford would inject youth, energy, and undeniable talent into Newcastle’s goalkeeping ranks. Already capped at various youth levels for England, Trafford was instrumental in the England U21s’ recent European Championship triumph and is widely seen as a potential successor to Jordan Pickford in the senior national team setup.
Trafford has made no secret of his ambition to play at the highest level. Speaking on the popular Fozcast podcast earlier this year, he said:
> “That’s where I’ve always been aiming for – the top of the Premier League. Everyone wants to go there, everyone wants to play there. To get there, you have to play games, improve, and get to a level where you’re ready for it – wherever I end up. I want to make sure I’m the best equipped to perform.”
With both Newcastle and Burnley seemingly aligning their plans, Trafford could be on the verge of making the next major leap in his career. If a deal is finalised in the coming weeks, the Magpies would not only be securing one of the brightest young talents in English football but also sending a clear signal of intent ahead of the New Premier League season.