Newcastle have finally reached agreement with the top target as he decide to exit Relegated Burnley
Fabrizio Romano is reporting that Newcastle United have agreed personal terms with Burnley’s James Trafford.
In a Sunday night update, he reports that the 21-year-old has been identified as a ‘priority’ target to bolster our goalkeeping department, stating that a new proposal worth £15m plus performance base add-ons is ‘expected soon.’
The Mail and Sky Sports reported on our opening bid on Saturday, but it’s believed Burnley are looking for a fee closer to £20m. It remains to be seen if £15m + add-ons will be enough to tempt the Clarets, especially when former club Man City will receive 20% of any transfer fee, although it’s a positive step for the club if the England talent has already agreed terms with the club.
Romano said: ‘Understand Newcastle have agreed personal terms with James Trafford as priority option to become new goalkeeper. New proposal to Burnley expected soon, in the region of £15m with add-ons based on performances. Man City will receive 20% of the fee from Burnley.’
Speaking to CaughtOffside, Romano confirms that Newcastle do ‘like’ Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, but claims both are ‘considered too expensive.’
Trafford would be a long-term investment and slight risk after a baptism of fire season at Burnley that ended in him losing his place, but he could be our future No.1 and a talented understudy to Nick Pope if we can aid his development.
Newcastle United stumped up £14.5million to sign Wijnaldum in 2015 – one of the only times Mike Ashley splashed the cash during his 14-year reign. The Dutchman was joined by Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Florian Thauvin as the Sports Direct tycoon looked to avoid another relegation battle.
However, led by Steve McClaren until March, the Magpies slumped into the bottom three and, despite Rafa Benitez’s valiant efforts, relegation was sealed. Wijnaldum was a rare highlight that season, netting 11 goals in a poor Newcastle side.
Liverpool came calling the following summer and the midfielder would go on to become a club legend. Wijnadlum was instrumental in winning the Champions League five years ago and ended the Reds’ 30-year wait for the Premier League 12 months later.
However, he also acknowledged how English fans had to be won over when initially joining Newcastle. The former Toon star won the league and was crowned Dutch footballer of the year before making the St James’ Park switch.
But that mattered little upon arrival – and new Liverpool boss Slot must also prove his worth now he is in the Premier League. Wijnaldum told Algemeen Dagblad: “It doesn’t matter at all that they don’t all know him (Slot) inside and out in England. When I went from PSV to Newcastle United, I had become Dutch champion.
“I was already playing in the Dutch national team and we were playing European football but I didn’t think it meant anything to the people there. The Premier League is so big and so good that they don’t really look at other countries. It is a bit comparable to what I experience now playing football outside Europe. People just don’t care that much.”
