Newcastle United are stubborn enough not to give up on landing their former goalie target.
Right after landing their first transfer of the offseason in netminder Ewen Jaouen, the club has renewed its pursuit of current Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as the Magpies continue to work on strengthening their net for the future.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Newcastle have already made contact with Man City after missing out on Trafford last summer, when he chose the Cityzens and
ate bench instead of being wise and choosing Tyneside.
“Newcastle United have rekindled their interest in signing James Trafford as work continues to bolster the club’s goalkeeping unit,” Ornstein reported.
The 23-year-old remains Newcastle’s primary goalkeeping target. Ornstein reported that the club has once again expressed their desire to sign the England international, though formal negotiations between the clubs have not started yet, mostly because of Trafford’s presence at the World Cup and the delays that might cause on personal terms.
“Newcastle’s primary target remains Trafford, who they attempted to acquire last summer before he joined Manchester City from Burnley,” Ornstein wrote.
Trafford made only 17 appearances for Man City last season after Gianluigi Donnarumma became the first choice following his surprise move to Manchester. That has increased the possibility of another move, although Trafford is expected to wait until after the World Cup before deciding his future.
Newcastle have already signed 20-year-old Jaouen from Reims following the end of Aaron Ramsdale’s loan spell, and with Ornstein reporting that Nick Pope could leave if another senior goalkeeper arrives, which would be reasonable considering his noticeable decline.
For now, Trafford is again at the top of Newcastle’s list as Eddie Howe looks for a long-term successor to Pope and a senior goalkeeper capable of competing immediately, although we can at least say we have someone already waiting on the wings in Jaouen.
