James Trafford and Carl Rushworth's full stats revealed after Newcastle transfer 'update'

Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has reportedly been offered to Newcastle United in their hunt for a new number one.

The 25-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract and is the subject of huge interest from various clubs after an impressive season in the Championship with Coventry City.

The Sky Blues are keen to bring him back this summer but have, so far, been unsuccessful in negotiations with the Seagulls.

Sources have told Football Insider that Newcastle's top target is James Trafford of Manchester City, with the shot-stopper eager to leave the club in the coming weeks.

The 23-year-old was set to arrive at St James' Park last summer before the deal was hijacked by his boyhood club, who then subsequently decided to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Newcastle have already signed Ewen Jaouen, 20, this summer, with Nick Pope expected to leave.

How do James Trafford and Carl Rushworth stack up?

Trafford made just 17 appearances across all competitions this season for Man City, largely limited to the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.

The Citizens won both of those trophies and the goalkeeper impressed along the way, but a fairer comparison would look back on the season prior.

The 2024-25 season saw Trafford make play 45 games for Burnley in the Championship, in a similarly dominant team to the Coventry side Rushworth made 46 appearances for.

On the surface, the 23-year-old's stats are immediately more impressive.

Trafford kept 29 clean sheets to Rushworth's 17, conceding just 16 goals to his 45 and also keeping an 85 per cent save percentage to the 25-year-old's 73 per cent.

But Burnley's defence was clearly stronger than Coventry's, with Rushworth facing 3.65 shots per 90 compared to just 2.31.

The England youth international also made more saves per game, completed more recoveries and more high claims.

But from a purely goalkeeping perspective, Trafford is the clear winner. He saved the two penalties he faced (Rushworth saved none of three faced) and made no errors leading to goals, while his opponent made one.

Newcastle's priority will remain Trafford

While Rushworth is a good option that could be available for an attractive fee considering his contract situation, it is clear why Newcastle's attention is elsewhere.

Trafford is two years younger but the stats suggest that he is already a better goalkeeper, and the ceiling appears to be endless.

Should the Magpies be able to secure a move for the former Burnley man, they may just be signing their shot-stopper for the next decade.

There remains a question mark over their ability to do just that, however, after a string of failures in the transfer market already this summer.