Newcastle United is ramping up efforts to secure the services of goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley, a highly-rated prospect that the Magpies are targeting. Eddie Howe, who has long admired the 21-year-old, saw Burnley reject an initial £15 million offer for Trafford earlier this summer. Newcastle has now returned to negotiations, exploring the possibility of a loan with an obligation to buy.
Trafford, who many see as a potential future starting goalkeeper for England, would initially serve as backup to Newcastle's current first-choice keeper, Nick Pope. However, the Manchester City academy product is expected to face competition for the starting role soon. Despite Burnley’s recent 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, which sparked speculation about Trafford's future, Burnley manager Scott Parker remains uncertain about the goalkeeper's departure. “At the moment, James is here,” Parker noted. “We cannot predict what’s coming next.”
Complicated Situation at Newcastle
The potential transfer is complicated by the current situation of Newcastle's goalkeepers. The club has five goalkeepers in its squad, including Slovakian 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 features veteran John Ruddy and long-serving Mark Gillespie, further complicating Trafford's potential arrival.
West Ham Faces Challenges in Transfers
Meanwhile, West Ham United is facing challenges in its pursuit of Carlos Soler from Paris Saint-Germain, with the move complicated by Nayef Aguerd's refusal to accept a loan transfer to an unnamed Bundesliga club. West Ham, managed by Julen Lopetegui, is eager to strengthen its midfield and sees Soler as a crucial addition. However, the club needs to generate funds through player sales before proceeding with further signings.
Aguerd, who joined West Ham from Rennes for £28 million two years ago, rejected the loan offer despite the deal including an option to buy. His current weekly salary of around £90,000 complicated the transfer. There are also clubs from the Middle East interested in Aguerd, but the manager left him out of the West Ham squad for the recent victory over Crystal Palace. Lopetegui has already strengthened the defense by signing Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo.
Additionally, West Ham is seeking to offload another defender, Kurt Zouma, who failed to complete his proposed transfer to Al-Orobah in the Saudi Pro League due to a failed medical earlier this month. Zouma's high salary, approximately £130,000 per week, further complicates the situation. The club is also exploring the market for Maxwel Cornet, although his salary is making it difficult to find a suitable buyer. Uncertainty continues regarding the futures of James Ward-Prowse and Danny Ings, further intensifying West Ham's current transfer dilemma.