Newcastle United line-up third summer signing as exit looms - Premier League star has already agreed to join
Newcastle United transfers: The Magpies will try to sign James Trafford for the third successive summer.
Long-term Newcastle United transfer target James Trafford is back on the agenda this summer, with Nick Pope’s future uncertain.
The Magpies tried to sign Trafford from Burnley in 2024 and 2025 and agreed terms with the player on both occasions only for Manchester City to swoop in and trigger a buy-back clause to land the goalkeeper for £26million ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
While Trafford initially arrived set to be City’s number one goalkeeper, he quickly fell down the pecking order when the club signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain. It left Trafford frustrated as he was limited to just 17 appearances last season, opening fresh talk of a departure from the Etihad Stadium.
“It [being number two] wasn’t what I expected,” Trafford said in February. “I tried to guard against the situation happening, but it’s the reality. I know every time I play, I’ve got to give it my best shot and try to win and try to improve. That’s the current situation I’m in.”
As per The Athletic, Newcastle have made contact over Trafford’s availability this summer though no formal talks have taken place.
But any move is complicated by Trafford wanting to hold off on deciding his future until after he returns from the World Cup with England. That could be as late as mid July should the Three Lions go deep into the tournament.
Trafford has previously already agreed to join Newcastle twice and would be encouraged by the side making their interest clear for a third successive summer.
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Newcastle have already signed 20-year-old goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims this week as a second choice goalkeeper while the club also eyes a third choice on a free transfer. As reported by The Gazette, Newcastle are open to letting Pope leave this summer having held talks with Ipswich Town over a potential move.
Any successful move for Trafford by Newcastle would almost certainly spell the end of Pope’s time at the club after four years.