Newcastle United’s search for a new No. 1 goalkeeper remains active, with Eddie Howe still looking to add a senior option after the arrival of Ewen Jaouen in the lone transfer of the season to date.
According to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, Newcastle’s No. 1 target for the position, Man City goalie James Trafford, is expected to receive clarity on his future with the Cityzens in the coming days.
The 23-year-old remains on Newcastle’s radar and is thought to be open to a move to Tyneside despite the
club’s lack of European football, with Newcastle expected to make a move after the World Cup is over.
“James Trafford is expected to get clarification on his future at Manchester City in the next few days,” Ryder reported. “The 23-year-old is thought to be keen on the move to Tyneside despite the lack of European football but he will now speak to new City boss Enzo Maresca on his squad status.”
Trafford is set to discuss the matter with Maresca following a season in which he was unexpectedly buried behind Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Ryder reported that Maresca is likely to keep Donnarumma as City’s first-choice goalkeeper, which could increase Trafford’s need to leave for regular minutes, although no report of the young goalie asking for a transfer has emerged for now.
However, Newcastle are not alone in the race. According to Ryder, fellow Premier League sides Brighton and Aston Villa are tracking Trafford, while Serie A’s Juventus are also believed to have an interest in the England international.
Regarding the potential cost of the operation, Chronicle Live reports that a deal could cost Newcastle between £35million and £45million.
If Trafford arrives, Newcastle would almost certainly insta-sell the aging Nick Pope, who has one year left on his contract and is not expected to accept being third choice, nor probably play to that standard anyway.
Jaouen, meanwhile, is expected to feature heavily during the pre-season, but Newcastle is likely to keep him on the bench for at least one year while he keeps honing his skills in the training ground before taking over the No. 1 role, assuming that’s not Trafford’s to lose.
