New Delhi: Burnley have been embroiled in a battle for promotion all season with Scott Parker’s side looking to get back into the Premier League on their first attempt. The Clarets currently sit third in the Championship and are on course to finish in a playoff spot at the very least but could also sneak in an automatic promotion spot, given they’re only five points behind Sheffield United.
While the club have scored the joint lowest number of goals amongst the promotion chasing sides, they make up for it with their exceptional defense, led from the back by young goalkeeper James Trafford. The 22-year-old, who is a product of the Manchester City academy, has been impressive for the club all season, conceding only nine goals during the entire campaign till now. Trafford hasn’t conceded a goal in the last 11 hours on the field, and that form hasn’t gone unnoticed.
⚪️⚫️ Newcastle agreed personal terms with James Trafford since summer 2024 and the verbal pact is still valid.
He’s still top of the list as new GK for Newcastle next season. pic.twitter.com/nnPTNJTZzZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 21, 2025
Reports online now state that the goalkeeper, who has kept 11 successive clean sheets currently, has attracted interest from Premier League club Newcastle United, and has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Magpies. He is on the list of top goalkeeping targets for the club, with Martin Dúbravka being the only available goalkeeper at the club with Nick Pope being too injury prone.
The Toons will need to sign a new goalkeeper given Pope’s injury issues off late. The Englishman has missed 40 games for the Magpies over the last two seasons and that is simply not sustainable for a club that is chasing UEFA Champions League football on a regular basis. Trafford, who has previous experience of playing in the Premier League with Burnley, combined with his good form this season seems like a solid choice for them.
Newcastle revisiting their interest in James Trafford from last summer
Eddie Howe’s side were interested in signing Trafford in the summer of 2024 before the current season began but the deal fell through towards the end and he stayed with the Clarets. Trafford initially impressed for Burnley during the 2023/24 campaign, with the keeper being one of the sole shining light for the club in what was a dismal season in the Premier League under former manager Vincent Kompany.
Kompany’s tactics exposed the club’s defense which led to him conceding a bucket load of goals but his performances drew praise from everywhere. This season, under Parker, he has taken his game to another level as he’s kept a whopping 23 sheets in just 33 games and has also maintained a high save percentage of 87.5% that has established him as the best keeper in the country’s second division.
Manchester City hold a buyback clause for the keeper which was included in the deal that sent Trafford to Burnley but that isn’t expected to be a hinderance in Newcastle’s pursuit for the Englishman. The Cityzens have a buy back worth £40 million for the 22-year-old but given Ederson’s performances for the club, it doesn’t look like Pep will look to replace the Brazilian, leaving the door open for Newcastle to swoop in for Trafford.
Burnley have been locked in an intense battle for promotion all season with their charge being led by in form goalkeeper James Trafford, who seems to have attracted the interest of Newcastle United. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
