Arsenal
Newcastle hope to succeed the place they failed a yr in the past by signing the Burnley and England goalkeeper James Trafford for a charge that might strategy £40m.
The 22-year-old has lengthy been admired by Eddie Howe, with the Cumbrian’s wonderful footwork a key motive why Newcastle’s supervisor was disillusioned a £20m transfer for Trafford foundered final summer season.
With Trafford retaining 29 clear sheets and conceding solely 16 targets as Burnley received promotion from the Championship, his price ticket has doubled. But though the Lancashire facet are prone to drive a tough discount as negotiations open this week the upcoming arrival of the Karlsruher goalkeeper Max Weiss at Turf Moor for about £4.5m means that Scott Parker is getting ready for all times with out Trafford.
A lot could depend upon whether or not Newcastle – who’ve goalkeeping options in thoughts – can negotiate a compromise over the value.
At 6ft 6in Trafford’s commanding presence is mixed with shot-stopping excellence and footwork that demonstrates his origins as a extremely regarded outfield schoolboy participant.
Trafford, who grew up on a farm in a village exterior the small city of Cockermouth, has admitted he was “disillusioned” when final summer season’s mooted switch collapsed.
Trafford’s doubtless arrival locations the way forward for Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper, Nick Pope, doubtful. Though Howe would ideally like Trafford and Pope to compete for a beginning spot, the latter is way admired by promoted Leeds. Furthermore Howe’s goalkeeping division is already overstocked and he possesses competitors for Trafford in Slovakia’s Martin Dubravka.
Newcastle additionally stay eager on bolstering their assault and are longstanding admirers of Brighton’s João Pedro however face competitors from Chelsea. João Pedro is assumed to favour a transfer to London.
Signal as much as Soccer Each day
Kick off your evenings with the Guardian’s tackle the world of soccer
Privateness Discover: Newsletters could include information about charities, on-line advertisements, and content material funded by exterior events. For extra data see our Privateness Coverage. We use Google reCaptcha to guard our web site and the Google Privateness Coverage and Phrases of Service apply.
after publication promotion
Newcastle are understood to be open to promoting both Sean Longstaff – a longstanding Everton goal who has additionally been monitored by Leeds – or his fellow midfielder Joe Willock, they are going to resist curiosity in Alexander Isak from, amongst different golf equipment, Liverpool.
They’re anticipated to supply Isak a profitable contract extension this summer season. Whereas it’s removed from sure that he’ll conform to it, the striker’s deal runs till 2028 and St James’ Park executives are decided to not promote their prize asset this yr.
