Newcastle United Are Close To Completing The Capture Of This Burnley Keeper: Good Option For Howe? | OneFootball

In a recent post on X, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Newcastle United are close to completing the capture of Burnley keeper James Trafford. It has been mentioned that the Magpies are eager to get a deal over the line for the English goalie this summer.

Trafford’s Impressive Form In The EFL Championship

Trafford enjoyed a solid campaign at the Lancashire club recently after he put in a series of impressive displays for them in the EFL Championship. The English goalie made 45 appearances for Burnley last season, conceding 16 goals and earning 29 clean sheets on all fronts.

The 22-year-old proved himself to be a solid presence in between the sticks for the English talent in the previous campaign. He even distributed possession relatively well based on his pass completion rate of 73.3% in the EFL Championship (stats via fbref.com).

Trafford’s current deal at the Lancashire club will run out in the summer of 2027. Hence, Newcastle United would do well to bring him on board this off-season.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: James Trafford of Burnley reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley FC and Stoke City FC at Turf Moor on January 01, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Is Trafford A Good Option For Newcastle United Boss Eddie Howe?

Trafford is a safe pair of hands in between the sticks as he can use his quick reflexes to make some crucial saves at the back for his team. He is a solid handler of the ball as well but needs to work on improving his ball distribution from the back.

Standing at 1.92m, the English sensation is a towering presence inside his penalty area. However, there are some concerns over whether he can maintain his good form in the Premier League as he is still quite inexperienced at the highest level.

We can expect Trafford to bring more quality to Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe’s defence. He has what it takes to challenge for regular first-team football at St. James’ Park in the coming seasons. Trafford will also help the Tyneside club compete across all fronts in the future.

At 22, Trafford has the potential to be a future star in English football. Thus, he would be a great option for Newcastle to pursue in the long run. With all things considered, the Magpies should focus on going all out to get a deal over the line in this transfer window.