(Credit: Imago)

Jack Heath

Mon 21 July 2025 12:49, UK

Manchester City are reluctant to meet Burnley’s asking price for James Trafford to potentially give Newcastle United renewed hope in the battle to sign the England Under-21 goalkeeper.

The 22-year-old was an integral part of Burnley’s promotion campaign last season, picking up 29 clean sheets as the Clarets finished second in the Championship.

Trafford conceded just 16 goals between the sticks for Scott Parker‘s side, a league-best in the second tier.

The Englishman’s merits have turned the heads of the Premier League’s finest as Newcastle have so far been unsuccessful in their lengthy pursuit, including having a bid of £25million rejected for Trafford (The Times).

The Magpies’ difficulty in landing the Burnley shot-stopper reflects their struggles in the 2025 summer transfer window, with their only notable signing coming in the form of Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.

Trafford’s head turned by Man City return

According to The Telegraph (20 July), the former Cityzens academy product is tempted by a move back to Manchester amid interest for his services.

Pep Guardiola’s side sold Trafford for £19million in 2023, but have a buy-back clause for their former goalkeeper.

The Clarets have been holding out for £40million for the 22-year-old but Man City are thought to be unwilling to meet Burnley’s price tag.

Uncertainties over the future of Ederson and Stefan Ortega has opened up the possibility of landing Porto’s Diogo Costa, suggesting the blue half of Manchester will turn their attention away from Trafford.

Newcastle’s year-long hunt set to continue

Football Insider verdict

City’s reluctance to break the bank for their former youth prospect keeps the Magpies in the hunt to sign Burnley’s number one, for now.

With both Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka’s contracts expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season, Eddie Howe will need to decide sooner rather than later on the future of Newcastle’s goalkeepers.

At 22-years-old, even if the Magpies do pay Burnley’s £40m asking fee, Howe will have a future England senior international for several years to come, which would be deemed a steal on a long-term deal.

All four of the Toon’s keepers are over 30, highlighting that the signing of the talented Trafford would be a logical step in Newcastle’s long-term project.

Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy may opt to play a waiting game to see if the Clarets drop their asking price as the season approaches, given Parker will need funds to reinforce his squad as they bid to avoid the drop.

But after several targets have slipped away from them this transfer window, Newcastle would be wiser to act swiftly to acquire a much-needed keeping reinforcement as the Toon look to cement themselves as top-five regulars.