Newcastle United have made signing a new goalkeeper one of their main priorities this summer, with Manchester City backup James Trafford still considered the leading target for the second consecutive year.
According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, the Magpies have already drawn up a shortlist that includes Trafford among other options.
The need for an arrival in net is obvious, as both Nick Pope (age) and Aaron Ramsdale (on loan) have struggled for consistency this season, with errors and shaky performances
raising concerns internally.
According to Edwards, Newcastle would like to land a goalkeeper capable of competing for, or simply taking, the No. 1 role outright.
Trafford is currently viewed as the standout option, with Edwards reporting that Newcastle still believe he has “the complete package” and could develop into England’s first-choice goalkeeper in the future.
However, a deal will not be straightforward, mostly because Newcastle have already failed twice to sign the 23-year-old, most recently when Manchester City activated a buyback clause to re-sign him from Burnley, and it is not that the Cityzens will give him away.
“Trafford would appear to be the early favourite,” Edwards reported.
Trafford is believed to be earning well over £100,000 per week at City, a figure that would require more than a few adjustments within NUFC’s salary ranks, or a huge effort by the current City keeper to accept a move to St James’ Park on a lower wage.
The netminder is also attracting interest from clubs such as Chelsea, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, so it’s not that the Geordies have a clear path toward landing him, even if they’re willing to make a financial effort.
Despite that competition, Newcastle believe the player is open to joining, which he seemingly was already before City snatched him with a last-minute counter, although they remain cautious after that failed attempt.
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