Newcastle ready to kickstart summer window with bid for £30m Premier League star

Newcastle United are keen to reinforce their squad for the 2025/26 campaign after securing Champions League football and Eddie Howe has identified a goalkeeper he wants to sign

Newcastle have reportedly entered negotiations with Burnley over the signing of James Trafford. The Magpies have made a quiet start to the summer transfer window, with 18-year-old Antonio Cordero the only signing so far, but are ready to step things up.

Newcastle will play in the Champions League next season and want to strengthen their squad following an encouraging campaign under Eddie Howe. The team finished fifth in the Premier League and won the Carabao Cup and Howe is keen to kick on in the 2025/26 season.

Like other sides, they are restricted by the profit and sustainability rules and the free transfer of Cordero from Malaga is the only deal they have done in the first 10-day window before the Club World Cup. That is not for lack of trying, with Newcastle linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, Brighton striker Joao Pedro and Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.

None of those players will be the first major summer signing, though, with Sky Sports reporting that the Magpies are in talks with Burnley over Trafford. Howe wants the Clarets keeper to join and challenge Nick Pope for the No.1 spot next season.

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Talks are still ongoing, with Burnley’s valuation of £30million too high for Newcastle, who are keen to negotiate it down. The 22-year-old still has two years left on his Burnley contract and is poised to be the side’s first-choice keeper when they begin the 2025/26 season in the Premier League following promotion from the Championship.

Trafford played 45 of Burnley’s 46 Championship games last season, keeping a staggering 29 clean sheets while playing behind the league’s best defence. Scott Parker’s side conceded just 16 goals in 46 games and only finished second behind Leeds on goal difference.

Unlike Pope, Trafford is currently away with England, having been picked by Thomas Tuchel alongside first-choice keeper Jordan Pickford and Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson.

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Pope, who is about to enter the final year of his Newcastle contract, has won 10 caps for his country, but, at 33, is 11 years older than Trafford, who could become his successor at St James’ Park, with backup keeper Martin Dubravka 36.

Explaining Newcastle’s approach this summer last month, Howe said: “There’s no doubt that’s what the club’s ambition is. But of course, as we’ve said many times, the ability financially to compete the last few years has been hampered by PSR, but those issues aren’t there for the coming window. So I don’t see any reason why we can’t strengthen, not weaken ourselves.

“From my perspective, and I’m not in control of the finances, it all depends on the individual case. There in not a blanket, ‘No, we’re not going to break that’. Or, ‘Yes, we are’. It depends on the individual and if the individual is worth doing that with, then I think you need to consider it and maybe implement it.

“But you have to be aware that every decision you make has a consequence. So, obviously, you have to think that through carefully.”

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