"£30m-£35m" - Pundit reacts to Spurs, Burnley transfer update involving James Trafford | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has given his verdict on James Trafford's Burnley future amid Tottenham Hotspur speculation

Carlton Palmer believes that James Trafford should remain at Burnley beyond the January transfer window amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

According to Talksport, the London club are eyeing the 22-year-old as a potential option following the injury to Guglielmo Vicario.

The shot-stopper is out with an ankle injury which has required surgery to already take place, and is set to be absent for months rather than weeks.

This has come as a huge blow to Ange Postecoglou’s side, who will have Fraser Forster to step into the team in his place.

The 36-year-old’s previous poor form for Spurs has led to speculation that a signing may be sought in the winter market to better cover for Vicario’s absence.

Carlton Palmer gives James Trafford transfer verdict

Palmer is not surprised by the renewed speculation over Trafford’s future at Turf Moor, but expects him to remain with the Championship side.

He has questioned why the youngster would make the switch to a team where he will ultimately end up out of the team once Vicario is back fit.

“Speculation surrounding Burnley’s outstanding goalkeeper James Trafford, with the latest team to be interested is Tottenham, as they have an injury to their first team goalkeeper,” Palmer told Football League World.

“I doubt very much whether Burnley are going to sell James in the January transfer window.

“There’s been a lot of speculation about the 22-year-old in recent times, he was supposed to leave in the summer, but that deal didn’t materialise.

“He was supposed to go to Newcastle on the final day with £20 million plus add-ons, the deal didn’t materialise, they rejected £15 million from Newcastle before it went to £20 million.

“So, at the end of the day, it’s not going to be a thing where Burnley are rushing into it.

“The situation is he’s playing regular first team football, he’s been outstanding, why would he go to a club where he’s noHe has predicted it will cost somewhere between £30m-£35m to convince Burnley to cash in midway through the campaign.t going to play? He’s playing regularly now, Burnley are going to be knocking on the door for promotion.

“They should be looking at one and two, but they’re certainly going to be in the race for the play-offs.”

Palmer has predicted it will cost somewhere between £30 to 35 million to convince Burnley to cash in midway through the campaign.

“Certainly they’ll want a lot of money for him, they signed him from Man City in a deal worth £19 million, so there’s no way he’s going to sell the 22-year-old without getting a serious profit on him, with him being such a young player and he’s only going to get better,” he added.

“So, I can’t see Burnley selling James in the January transfer window.

“I mean, Burnley are on 33 points, only two points off the leaders in the division, they’ve only conceded six goals, that’s all they’ve conceded all season, so they’ve got the best defensive record in the league.

“There’s no way they’re going to allow him to leave the football club unless they get huge amounts of money.

“I would be talking £30 to 35 million for them to let him go, so I still expect to see him at Burnley this season.

“And for a young player, who is number one at a football club, why would you want to go and sit on the bench? Makes no sense.”

James Trafford is best off staying at Burnley

A move to Spurs would net Trafford the short-term boost of regular Premier League game time at a big club for a few months.

But once Vicario is back fit, he will be dropped back to the bench because the Italian is one of the best in the division.

While Trafford may feel he can compete for game time with a fit Vicario, that is a big risk to take at this stage of his career, especially when he’s settled at Burnley.

Remaining there until the end of the campaign and reassessing his future in the summer is the best course of action, especially as the Clarets could be back in the top flight by then.