- Newcastle United are among the clubs interested in James Trafford this summer
- Trafford open to leaving Man City in favour of first team football
- Why Magpies must finally get a deal over the line
It is no secret that Newcastle United are in the market for a goalkeeper this summer amid the expected mini rebuild. James Trafford is a long-standing candidate for the Magpies, and the England international is open to leaving Manchester City this summer in a bid to find regular first team football.
Trafford has failed to manage any meaningful minutes this season and has largely cut a frustrated figure following the impromptu signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG.
When the 23-year-old has had chances to play, most commonly in the domestic cup competitions, he has put in some very impressive performances which have gained him some big admirers from a plethora of Premier League clubs.
James Trafford Carabao Cup heroics
Perhaps the most striking of his performances was in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, where Man City ran out 2-0 winners.
Trafford was equal to each and every one of the Gunners’ attempts on goal, including an exceptional triple save that left Arteta bewildered with his head in his hands.
But beyond the saves, Trafford’s performance was much more than just a good performance.
It proved that, despite his young age for a goalkeeper, he has the composure and temperament to perform on big stages in big games, with the ability to either keep his side in or outright win those games.
Trafford’s next and most recent start for Man City saw him arguably put in an even better performance than the one against Arsenal.
City faced Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final, with the Sky Blues running rampant in a 4-0 win. Trafford made a top save from a Mo Salah spot kick and made four more saves across the 90 minutes in a brilliant showing.
In total, Trafford has made 14 appearances for City, all of which come with a prolonged space between them. In that time he has managed an impressive average rating of 7.4 and is in the top 2% of goalkeepers across Europe when it comes to save percentage.
A goalkeeper with that ability and those statistics simply cannot be sitting on the bench week in, week out.
Newcastle United fumbled Trafford transfer
The Magpies had a massive interest in Trafford last summer and had an almost crystal-clear run at signing the goalkeeper before moving so slowly that Man City’s interest peaked and they activated their first right of refusal clause.
It now appears that Newcastle massively fumbled by missing out on Trafford. As much as they could sign him this summer instead, there is now a lot more interest to fend off, and a bidding war could ensue.
Trafford is said to be high up on Brighton’s list of targets this summer, especially if the rumours about Bart Verbruggen’s future at the club become concrete.
There is also said to be a plethora of other Premier League clubs interested, with clubs like Leeds United having been linked with the 23-year-old in the past year.
Given the Magpies’ track record with getting transfers over the line in the last year, seeing all of that other interest doesn’t exactly breed confidence when it comes to finally securing Trafford.
Goalkeeping issues on Tyneside
Whether it is Trafford or someone else, Newcastle United seriously need to invest in someone between the sticks.
Aaron Ramsdale’s loan deal is almost certain to expire without much of a fight for a permanent deal by Eddie Howe, and Nick Pope’s mistakes have cost the club too many points for him to regain his first choice status next season.
The club need a top goalkeeper, but one who fits the sentiment of reducing the squad’s average age too. Of the goalkeepers on the market, Trafford appears best placed to come in and immediately help the club to achieve their ambitions.
Next season is hoped to be one in which the club is back challenging for Champions League football. To do that and sustain that sort of level going forward, Trafford could well be the solution to the goalkeeping issues.
In other news, Newcastle United must avoid ‘poor’ Chelsea swap deal for Anthony Gordon – opinion.
