After chasing him for over a year, it looks like Newcastle United might be stepping back from their pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.
The club has admired the young keeper for quite some time, but with no deal in place and the negotiations dragging on, they’re starting to consider moving forward without him.
Confidence in Current Goalkeeper Setup
Although the door hasn’t been fully closed on Trafford just yet, sources say Newcastle feel relatively secure with their existing goalkeeping options.
So if talks completely stall, the club isn’t rushing to line up an alternative.
They don’t see the need to chase another target just for the sake of it.
Talks Losing Momentum Over the Past Two Weeks
It’s a noticeable shift in tone compared to earlier in the summer.
Newcastle’s initial optimism has faded a bit in the last couple of weeks. What was once a confident pursuit now feels a bit more uncertain.
Manchester City’s Buy-Back Clause Adds Pressure
One of the sticking points in the background has been Manchester City’s buy-back clause for Trafford.
City, who developed the goalkeeper before his move to Burnley, have had that option quietly looming over the transfer all summer.
While they haven’t actively pushed forward, their potential involvement complicates things for Newcastle.
Burnley Holding Out for More Cash
Another issue? Burnley simply want more money than Newcastle have been willing to offer so far.
The Clarets are standing firm on their valuation, hoping that the player’s Premier League and Championship experience will fetch a fee above what’s currently on the table.
Both Clubs Staying Tight-Lipped
As the situation continues to evolve, neither Newcastle nor Burnley are making public statements.
Both clubs are keeping their cards close to their chests while talks remain in a delicate place.
Trafford’s Rise Since Leaving Manchester City
James Trafford’s journey has been impressive. After joining Manchester City at just 12 years old, he spent nearly a decade developing within their academy before signing for Burnley in 2023.
That move, worth £15 million, has since paid off, with Trafford racking up 73 appearances over two seasons.
What Comes Next?
At this point, it’s unclear whether Newcastle will make a final push or officially walk away.
The ball is still in play—but just barely. And if Trafford doesn’t make the switch, Newcastle seem perfectly content sticking with what they’ve got between the posts.