- Newcastle United still interested in James Trafford
- England star locked in on World Cup
- Magpies finalising Ewen Jaouen transfer
Newcastle United transfer target James Trafford is keeping his head down and focusing on World Cup preparations as the Magpies edge closer to signing Ewen Jaouen from Reims.
The goalkeeping position is a key area for recruitment at St James’ Park this summer. Aaron Ramsdale has returned to Southampton following his season-long loan spell with Nick Pope linked with Ipswich Town after a hit-and-miss campaign on Tyneside.
Newcastle have wasted no time in bolstering their goalkeeping ranks with Jaouen set to be the first signing of the summer on a £24.2 million deal from the Ligue 2 outfit.
Newcastle United credited with renewed James Trafford interest
It’s a huge fee to spend on a 20-year-old who has never played at a higher level than the second tier in France. The move does match a new Magpies transfer strategy of looking to recruit future stars.
Newcastle United had also been credited with interest in Manchester City man Trafford this summer. The Magpies had bid £27 million to sign the player from Burnley last summer but the England international opted to move to the Etihad.
The 23-year-old looked set to be first choice under Pep Guardiola but the unexpected arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma has seen him struggle for minutes.
Trafford is expected to make another transfer move this summer, with Newcastle once again heavily linked. As the Magpies now move for Jaouen, the Manchester City man looks determined not to have his concentration affected by the transfer debacle.
James Trafford shares post from England camp
The goalkeeper played the second half for Thomas Tuchel’s England side in the 1-0 win over New Zealand on Saturday night. On Sunday afternoon, he took to social media to share a short message of ‘WC preparation’ alongside photos of action from the match.
Trafford shared the same post on TikTok with the song ‘Janice STFU’ by Drake, to underline his mood ahead of the World Cup kicking off this week.
Just because Newcastle are set to finalise the signing of Jaouen this week, does not rule out a swoop for Trafford. Howe is unlikely to rely on the inexperienced Frenchman with The Sun reporting that Trafford remains a ‘top target’ for the club, alongside Brighton star Bart Verbruggen.
Speaking about his situation at Manchester City in February, Trafford had said: “I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it happened, so just get on with it. Work very hard every day and then see what happens, give it my best shot
“It is what it is. It’s football, it is what it is, you’ve got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can. It’s just another experience to add to my career and yeah, it has been good learning.
“I don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.”
In other news, Thomas Tuchel reveals World Cup medical plan as Man Utd eye £50m Newcastle United man Lewis Hall.
