Newcastle United are making renewed efforts to secure the services of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, a highly-rated prospect who has been a target for the Magpies. Eddie Howe, who has long admired the 21-year-old, saw an initial £15 million bid for Trafford rejected earlier this summer. Newcastle have now returned to negotiations, exploring the possibility of a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
Trafford, who is viewed as a potential future England number one, would initially serve as a backup to current Newcastle first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope. However, the Manchester City academy product is expected to be challenged for the starting role shortly. Despite Burnley’s recent 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, which has prompted speculation about Trafford’s future, Burnley manager Scott Parker remains uncertain about the goalkeeper’s departure. “At the moment James is here,” Parker remarked. “Who knows what happens in the future.”
The potential transfer is complicated by Newcastle’s current goalkeeper situation. The club has five goalkeepers on their roster, including Slovakia’s Martin Dubravka, who is likely to leave before the transfer window closes. Additionally, Greek international Odysseas Vlachodimos, who joined Newcastle in June as part of a £30 million deal involving Elliot Anderson, has yet to make his Premier League debut. Newcastle also have veteran John Ruddy and long-serving Mark Gillespie, further complicating Trafford’s potential arrival.
Meanwhile, West Ham United faces challenges in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Carlos Soler, with the move complicated by Nayef Aguerd’s refusal to accept a loan move to an unnamed Bundesliga club. West Ham, managed by Julen Lopetegui, is keen on bolstering their midfield and sees Soler as a crucial addition. However, the club needs to generate funds through player sales before proceeding with additional signings.
Aguerd, who joined West Ham from Rennes for £28 million two years ago, turned down the loan offer despite the deal including an option to buy. His current weekly wage of around £90,000 has made it difficult to facilitate a transfer. There is also interest from the Middle East in Aguerd, but he was left out of West Ham’s squad for their recent victory over Crystal Palace. Lopetegui has already strengthened the defense with the signings of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo.
In addition, West Ham is seeking to move on another center-back, Kurt Zouma, whose proposed move to Al-Orobah in the Saudi Pro League was thwarted by a failed medical earlier this month. Zouma’s high wages, approximately £130,000 per week, add to the complexity of the situation. The club is also exploring the market for Maxwel Cornet, although his wages are proving to be a hurdle in finding a suitable buyer. Uncertainty remains over the futures of James Ward-Prowse and Danny Ings, further adding to West Ham’s current transfer dilemma.
