Newcastle United have just announced the signing of Malaga winger Antonio Cordero and it seems the club are hoping to sign another target in the coming weeks.
The Times report that Newcastle are now ‘pushing’ to sign Burnley’s James Trafford, offering details on a potential deal and Eddie Howe’s goalkeeper plans heading into the 2025/26 season.
Senior North East reporter Martin Hardy reveals that Newcastle are hoping an offer of £25-30m will be enough to land Eddie Howe’s ‘top target’, who has broken into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad at the expense of Nick Pope, ironically.
That said, The Times insists that Howe does not want to lose Pope this summer despite interest from Leeds United, with the Toon boss instead hoping to sign Trafford as competition for our current No 1 next season.
How that may work for Trafford remains to be seen, however, as you’d imagine the Carlisle-born stopper will want assurances over game time after a record-breaking season in the Championship last term helped Scott Parker’s side earn an immediate return to the Premier League.
Hardy states that three clubs, one being Newcastle, are in the mix for Trafford. The other two sides are not named in the piece, but reports earlier this week have suggested that former club Man City and free-spending Chelsea have shown interest.
Trafford would offer that young, ball-playing option that could help transform our style of play, with our ability to play out from the back currently limited by Pope; a superb shot-stopper who is far from comfortable on the ball.
Newcastle United are pushing to sign the Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford in the summer transfer window
Full story by @mhardysport ⬇️https://t.co/WSX98hWFhd
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) June 4, 2025
If James Trafford, is “Eddie Howe’s ‘top target’” we’re in trouble.
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
Top goalkeeper target, I’d imagine.
Worked out well when we got his other top English targets at LB, RB and LW!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Nonsense he’s got pope dubs and there gonna give ruddy 12 months
Tom(Quote)