Burnley could lose James Trafford to Premier League rival who eye £30million swoop ...Middle East

Newcastle United have opened talks with Burnley over the signing of goalkeeper James Trafford, talkSPORT understands.

The Magpies have been long-term admirers of the England Under-21 star as boss Eddie Howe looks to reshuffle his options between the posts.

Newcastle saw two bids for Trafford rejected last summer despite having agreed personal terms with the shot-stopper.

Trafford stayed at Burnley and went on to enjoy a superb season as the Clarets achieved automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Burnley’s return to the top flight leaves them in a stronger financial position to replace their No.1 while commanding a higher fee thanks to his impressive displays in the Championship where he kept 29 clean sheets in 45 appearances.

Newcastle are hardly strapped for goalkeepers, however there is expected to be movement among the club’s crop of talent.

Howe wants Trafford to compete with current first-choice ‘keeper Nick Pope for the starting berth next season rather than the 22-year-old replacing him.

Meanwhile, the futures Martin Dubravka, Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy remain unclear.

The Magpies have an increased number of matches to contend with next season following Champions League qualification.

And it appears that Trafford is more than ready to make the step up and move to St James’ Park after almost completing his switch in 2024.

“Last summer, I wanted to move because the club I was close to going to was a good fit for me at the time,” Trafford told Ben Foster on his Fozcast show.

“It was brilliant for me, I really believed in it and I really wanted the move. Not because I didn’t want to play in the Championship, I had no shame or no ego to be like ‘I’m better than Championship’, you only prove you’re better than something by performing and showing people.

“It was just when the opportunity and a situation you believe suits you can happen, you should take it and you should go for it.

“So I wanted to move and it was close but it didn’t end up happening. The manager [Scott Parker] was brilliant with me throughout pre-season because I was obviously moody because I wanted to move.”

Trafford was quick to refocus ahead of what was a crucial campaign for Burnley in their hopes of an immediate top-flight return.

Since earning his place back in Parker’s team, Trafford conducted himself with the utmost professionalism and showed why his stock has made a rapid rise in recent seasons.

But Trafford warned that he remains ambitious and has set his targets on playing for a club that challenges at the top of the Premier League.

“That’s where I’ve always been aiming for, the top of the Prem,” he added. “Everyone wants to go there and everyone wants to play there.

“I know that to get there you need to play games so that when I do go back, to wherever I end up, whenever, I’m ready for it and the best equipped to perform.”

Howe will be keen to wrap up the signing as quickly as possible in the event that rival club’s may hijack Newcastle’s transfer plans.

“Speed is key because we have to be dynamic, we have to be ready to conclude things very quickly, because good players don’t hang around for long,” Howe said last month.

“That’s always been my thought and my message on recruitment, because you can have a period when you think you have time – but then you look around quickly and you see that time has elapsed and you missed opportunities you won’t get again.”

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