Newcastle United’s bad week might have just got a little bit worse.

After weeks of missing out on top target after top target in terms of attackers, the news that Alexander Isak was now committed to leaving the club was just the icing on the cake.

It looks to have forced the club into action however, with dramatic resumptions in pursuing other top targets like Benjamin Sesko and Yoane Wissa.

However, one big name we’ve pursued for months is now set to be one we’re missing out. But it could be a momentary blessing in disguise…

Trafford terms agreed between Burnley and Man City

James Trafford, who has been subject to interest from us for at least a year, is set to re-join Manchester City from Burnley this summer.

In news corroborated by both Fabrizio Romano and The Athletic’s David Ornstein, a deal is reportedly in place worth just under the £40m buy-back clause the Cityzens had in Trafford’s contract, thought to be £27m.

Romano comments that England international was swayed by City to work under Pep Guardiola, who personally wanted the player amidst rumours concerning the future of Ederson and Stefan Ortega.

Interestingly, an exclusive from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards just half an hour prior to the news breaking seemed to hint that we were back in for Trafford after reportedly cooling our interest earlier this month.

In a now deleted post on X, Edwards commented “Newcastle are also back in for James Trafford with a possible deal involving Martin Dubravka now being discussed.”

Whether this is true or not is one thing, but it does give an indicator concerning the future of Dubravka, notably absent from our pre-season tour of Asia and seeking first team football opportunities for next season.

Unbearable news or a blessing in disguise?

Some fans may see this news as nothing short of an embarrassing showing from our recruitment team. Pursuing a player for so long, and having him want to join, only for a Big Six club to swoop in and wrap up the deal in just a week.

However, the cost of Trafford was always going to be extortionate considering City’s sell-on and Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League.

Now, we have a concrete decision on who will be the club’s starting goalkeeper next season in Nick Pope, and we have roughly £30-40m of funds ready to spend elsewhere in parts of the squad where we are crying out for new signings at centre-back, midfield and up top, with two strikers potentially needed.