Newcastle United verdict on signing another goalkeeper after James Trafford says yes to Manchester City
Newcastle United appear to have missed out on the race to sign James Trafford to Manchester City, despite agreeing personal terms with the player.
After confirming the signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, many believed there had been a needle-moving moment on Tyneside, with more transfers expected soon after; however, that has been far from the case.
Newcastle United need to make several signings this summer ahead of their return to the Champions League next season. The current crop of players are likely to struggle to keep up with the busy schedule that lies ahead, despite their immense quality.
Eddie Howe wants to improve several positions in his squad this summer, and his recruitment team have been hard at work to try and get him what he needs. One player linked with a move to Newcastle was James Trafford. Reports suggested Trafford agreed personal terms with Newcastle, but the two clubs could not agree on the transfer fee.
Reports now state that Trafford has said yes to Man City, but a return to his former club is dependent on Pep Guardiola selling a goalkeeper. With Trafford to Newcastle looking less likely, transfer expert Graeme Bailey spoke to Geordie Boot Boys about how the club feel about signing an alternative this summer.
Newcastle United unlikely to sign an alternative to James Trafford
Newcastle fans were fuming when Trafford’s deal with Man City was revealed, with many left baffled as to why Howe’s recruitment team could not get the deal over the line.
The Magpies want the right players this summer, but it is evident they will not be held to ransom over transfer fees they do not want to spend for their targets. Burnley wanted as much as £40million for Trafford, but Newcastle did not seem to be willing to pay over £30million for him.
It begs the question of whether Newcastle will look to sign another goalkeeper this summer. It does not look like that will be the case.
Bailey told Geordie Boot Boys that the breakdown between Newcastle and Trafford was merely due to the two parties not being able to get a deal done, rather than choosing to back away from it.
Newcastle are still happy with Nick Pope, despite his error in the 4-0 loss to Celtic on Saturday, so the situation regarding signing a new goalkeeper is not desperate. Despite that, Trafford is a player Howe liked a lot, but he seems destined to stay away from Newcastle after failing to agree on a deal once again.
Newcastle United will have a problem with their goalkeepers soon
While Howe thinks Newcastle’s goalkeeper situation is fine for the moment, it is clear work will need to be done in that position at some point in the next 12 months.
Pope is 33, while second-choice Martin Dubravka is 36 and will be out of contract at the end of next season. Elsewhere, John Ruddy has little chance of playing at 38, and Odysseas Vlachodimos looks set to leave Newcastle this summer.
It was revealed Vlachodimos rejected a loan move to Pumas, with the Greece international preferring a move to Europe for the good of his career and family. Newcastle are lacking in young goalkeepers who genuinely have a chance of breaking into the first team, so recruiting from elsewhere would be needed.
While Newcastle are unwilling to pay his price tag, Trafford is one of the few players whom the club should just pay the price for. Burnley think Trafford will be an England hero in the future, a sign of what could come for the 22-year-old.
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