Burnley: Newcastle United retain James Trafford interest | OneFootball

Eddie Howe's men have reignited their interest in the Burnley number one after interest earlier this summer

Newcastle United have revived their pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper and England U21 international James Trafford, according to TEAMtalk.

The Geordies had previously sparked an interest in Trafford earlier this summer and began talks with the Clarets proposing a £16million bid for the 21-year-old.

Newcastle eye fresh move for Trafford

Speculation previously came to a halt for the Burnley number one but reports from TEAMtalk claim that Newcastle are still very eager to sign him. Scott Parker's men believe his valuation exceeds that and should be in the region of the £30m mark.

Despite the Magpies already signing two new goalkeepers this window in Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy, Howe is clearly happy to add Trafford to the squad, according to the reports.

With former Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope as Newcastle's mainstay in goal, the Toon Army are hoping to strike a deal with the Clarets goalkeeper like they did in the 2022 summer window when they pinched Pope from Turf Moor.

The Burnley goalkeeper started in Parker's first win as Burnley manager over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Monday, but the Clarets have already prepared for the keeper's exit through the signings of Vaclav Hladky from Ipswich Town and Etienne Green from French side Saint-Étienne.

A Burnley exit may appeal to Trafford for multiple reasons

With Newcastle's Premier League season getting under way at St James' Park on Saturday versus top flight returnees Southampton, Howe is looking for some competition in the goalkeeper department, and might opt to take Trafford to the next step in his early career.

The shot-stopper was included in England's EURO 2024 provisional squad but did not experience Germany. Now in the Championship, it certainly wouldn't heighten his chances of getting a cap with the Three Lions.

Graduating from Manchester City, Trafford is into his second season with the Clarets, in the hope of a return to the Premier League after impressing in some departments despite Burnley's poor season under Vincent Kompany.

Speaking to the Burnley express about Trafford, Parker is keen on the shot-stopper saying he's someone he "admires immensely" and is looking forward to working with the goalkeeper.

In a different report for the Burnley Express, he commented on the challenge of keeping all three keepers happy at the club.

"It’s always a challenge,” Parker admitted. "It’s probably the only area on the pitch where there’s only one spot.

"But you build a certain environment and a real good line of communication, which helps."

Parker may not have to worry too much about the situation if Trafford was to depart.

After goalkeeper Arijanet Muric moved on to take the number one spot at Ipswich Town, Burnley will have to assess their newest recruits.

If Trafford was to depart for Newcastle, Green and Hladky would have to battle it out for the number one role.

Hladky played a key role in Ipswich's promotion to the Premier League, playing every minute for the Tractor Boys, but left Kieran McKenna's men even after they offered the Czech a new contract, with Parker snapping him up on a free in July.

Green has spent his whole career at Ligue 1 side Saint-Étienne, coming through their academy system, but only made 35 appearances over the four years he was there. Both keepers provide strong competition, but due to Hladky's experience, he might just get the nod over Green for the possible Clarets' replacement.