According to The Mail, Paul Mitchell was at the Stadium of Light for a ‘secret trip’ to watch Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford on Saturday as Newcastle consider a fresh bid.
Reports this morning suggested that the club are back in talks and keen to sign the 21-year-old on a loan-to-buy deal after having a £16m bid rejected in June, with the Clarets demanding around £20m.
The Mail’s Craig Hope reports that Mitchell was in the stands to take another look at Trafford, who started as Burnley lost 1-0 to Sunderland over the weekend.
He reports that Newcastle ‘always intended to revisit a deal’ for the England U21 international, with the player himself believing a move to St James’ Park could go through before Friday’s deadline.
Personal terms are not thought to be an issue, but we’ll have to strike a deal with Burnley and must move on at least one of Martin Dubravka and/or Odysseas Vlachodimos; the Greek stopper who was only brought in from Nottingham Forest in a PSR deal involving Elliot Anderson that stopped us from facing a 10-point deduction.
Trafford could be a smart signing in isolation, but, with five goalkeepers already on our books, let’s hope any move for the young shot-stopper doesn’t limit the funds required to sign a centre-back and right-winger!
🚨 NUFC sporting director Paul Mitchell watched James Trafford on Saturday during secret scouting trip
💰 It would need a keeper to go out, but interest in Burnley star remains & Eddie Howe would like competition for Nick Pope as No1
🟢 @MailSport 👇 https://t.co/tPlKFoyCvZ
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 26, 2024
Not dactyl secret then is it?
Robert Pointer(Quote)
we need kvaskeli
jeffrey(Quote)
any goal keeper who who can kick a ball when passed back is a up grade on pope . every time its panic station he is shocking
David Andrew Thistlewood(Quote)
Yes just what we need a 20th goalie… Really!!!! Defender, striker and Right Winger that is what we need, and to get rid of a few who just aren’t good enough or consistent enough.
Terry Syson(Quote)