‘Newcastle set to rival Man United for Lucas Chevalier after failed Trafford push’
Newcastle United are having to look elsewhere in their goalkeeper hunt after Manchester City joined the race for James Trafford.
As reported by Football Insider, the Magpies have seen multiple bids for Trafford rejected by Burnley.
To make matters worse, Man City have made a move to hijack Newcastle’s push for the 22-year-old stopper, who is a product of the Cityzens’ youth system.
With that in mind, Eddie Howe is having to identify other targets to man the posts next season as Newcastle return to the Champions League.
Newcastle keeping tabs on Chevalier
According to The Athletic, Newcastle have scouted Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier as they seek to strengthen their No.1 position (22 July).
Nick Pope is thought to be a target for Leeds United if they sell Illan Meslier, and Howe could be open to revitalising the goalkeeper spot.
| 2024/25 Ligue 1 stats | Lucas Chevalier |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Clean sheets | 11 |
| Goals conceded | 36 |
| Saves | 96 |
| Save percentage | 72.7% |
| Goals prevented | 7.95 |
At just 23 years old, Chevalier is highly regarded as one of the top up-and-coming goalkeepers in Europe right now and just last season, kept 11 clean sheets in 34 Ligue 1 appearances to help Lille finish fifth.
The Calais-born gloveman has also been called up to numerous senior French national team squads, though he is yet to make his debut.
Alongside his clean sheets, Chevalier — who has two years left to run on his Lille contract — made 96 saves and prevented 7.95 goals last season, with only three Ligue 1 goalkeepers performing higher in the latter (FotMob).
Newcastle could face further transfer frustration
Football Insider verdict
Newcastle have already faced major frustrations in the market this summer.
Alongside being pushed out of the Trafford race by Man City, the Magpies also saw long-time target Hugo Ekitike taken from under their nose by Liverpool.
The France youth international is on the verge of signing at Anfield after looking certain to become a Newcastle player, and to make matters worse, it’s thought Liverpool still hold an interest in Alexander Isak.
With that in mind, Howe might well be looking at Chevalier with a level of trepidation.
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed in June that Manchester United are keeping tabs on Chevalier as a possible Andre Onana replacement.
And alongside the Red Devils, Chevalier is thought to be high on Aston Villa’s list of goalkeeper targets amid uncertainty over Emilio Martinez’s long-term future.
In what has already been a difficult transfer window, Newcastle cannot afford to miss out on another target as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.