Report: Newcastle United to Submit Fresh Bid for ‘World-Class’ Goalkeeper Eager to Join Eddie Howe’s Project
Newcastle United are preparing to reignite their pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford with an improved bid, as the Magpies continue their summer transfer drive under manager Eddie Howe. Although the club has already tabled offers for several targets, none have yet led to a breakthrough, with their initial proposals falling short of the valuations held by selling clubs.
Earlier this week, Newcastle saw a £45 million offer rejected for Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga. Forest are reportedly holding out for a fee north of £60 million, creating a substantial gap between the two clubs’ expectations. But Elanga is far from the only player in Newcastle’s sights.
The Tyneside club also made formal bids for Brighton’s Brazilian forward Joao Pedro and Burnley’s promising young goalkeeper James Trafford. However, according to The Times, those offers—£50 million for Pedro and £25 million for Trafford—were similarly turned down by their respective clubs.
Despite the setbacks, Newcastle remain particularly optimistic about securing a deal for Trafford. Talks have progressed positively on the personal side, with the 22-year-old already agreeing to join Newcastle and expressing strong interest in working under Eddie Howe. Trafford is said to be excited by the opportunity to become the long-term number one at St James’ Park.
The main obstacle now lies in the transfer fee. Burnley are reportedly demanding a figure closer to £40 million, significantly higher than Newcastle’s initial £25 million offer. Negotiations are expected to continue, with the Magpies hoping that a revised bid in the region of £30 million could be enough to strike a compromise and bring Trafford to the northeast.
Newcastle’s pursuit of Trafford reflects their broader strategy of investing in young, high-upside players who can grow with the club. This approach has already yielded promising results, as seen with the signings of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall—two players who arrived with significant potential and are now settling well into life at the club.
Trafford, meanwhile, is seen as a generational talent between the posts. While still young, he already has a reputation as one of the most talented English goalkeepers of his age. His performances in the Championship last season were nothing short of exceptional. As part of Burnley’s promotion-winning campaign, he kept an impressive 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals—a testament to both his shot-stopping ability and consistency.
Former manager Scott Parker, who worked with Trafford during that season, offered high praise, even calling him “world-class.” Speaking in April, Parker reflected on Trafford’s progress and maturity:
> “There’s no denying at the beginning of the season, the work we all had to do with Traff and where he was, there was a lot of work,” Parker said. “He needed to engage in that. He needed to take a breath and take stock and decide where he wanted to be, and to be fair to him, I’ve seen someone mature. There’s no denying that he’s a world-class keeper. How you judge keepers is in big moments.”
Trafford himself agreed with Parker’s assessment, showcasing the kind of self-belief that could serve him well in the high-pressure environment of the Premier League.
If Newcastle can successfully negotiate a fee with Burnley, the acquisition of Trafford would not only strengthen their goalkeeping ranks but also secure a long-term successor to current No.1 Nick Pope. Furthermore, with England manager Gareth Southgate on the lookout for future replacements for Jordan Pickford, a move to St James’ Park could also accelerate Trafford’s international ambitions.
For now, Newcastle are gearing up to submit an improved bid. With Trafford eager to join and personal terms already agreed, the ball is firmly in Newcastle’s court to meet Burnley’s valuation and finalise a deal for a player they believe could be a cornerstone of the club’s future.