Newcastle United repeating successful transfer trick as £20m move splits opinion (2024)

Newcastle United's recruitment team have barely put a foot wrong since the 2021 takeover and a tried and tested plan is being put into place once again this summer.

The Magpies are pushing to land Burnley stopper James Trafford to kickstart their pre-season, though the move is likely to split opinion given the fact the Clarets were relegated following a poor attempt at staying in the top flight at the first time of asking.

Trafford was dropped for reserve goalkeeper Arijanet Muric midway through the campaign and the 21-year-old's stock has subsequently taking a hit after an incredible stint with England's under-21 side at the 2023 European Championships.

Many will insist this is a Newcastle United that should have grand ambitions of finishing in the top four each and every season, which in turn should mean players of a higher quality are sought rather than chasing stars who are set to play second-tier next term.

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But signing players from the Championship is nothing new for Newcastle these days - and it has worked wonders for the north east outfit up to this point. Nick Pope was another shot-stopper who arrived from a relegated Burnley, while Southampton's Tino Livramento and Leicester City's Harvey Barnes have turned out to be solid signings despite suffering relegation themselves.

Newcastle's transfer team see unrivalled value in poaching players who have lost their Premier League status and Trafford is likely to be available for around £20m, which could prove a slice of value in today's market.

With Loris Karius leaving on a free and Martin Dubravka expected to depart for a fresh challenge, signing a new goalkeeping recruit is crucial. Howe, who has a proven track record of improving youngsters and could help Trafford blossom into a future number one for both Newcastle and England.

Aaron Ramsdale and Giorgi Mamardashvili are two other names to have been linked with a move to St James' Park but the pair would cost significantly more than Trafford at a time where Newcastle are counting every penny in a bid to comply with profit and sustainability rules.

Howe has already stated for the record that 'ready-made' top talents will be hard to come by this summer, pointing to the fact young up and coming prospects may instead be chased.

"I think with our current situation and the landscape of the financial position I am not sure we are able to recruit ready made elite players," the Newcastle boss said earlier this year. "The players you are trying to get across, I don't think we are in a position to do that and I don't think we were in a position to do that last year.

"So I think we have to be really smart with our recruitment. I think we have to be maybe different to some of the other clubs we are in and around. It is all about the individual player not what bracket they're in. And what they can do for us and how they can take the team or squad forward."

Trafford was very highly thought of at Manchester City before the Premier League champions opted to send him to Vincent Kompany in order to free up cash for their own transfer overhaul. He is admired within the England setup thanks to Euro 2023 heroics for the under-21s and has clearly caught the eye of Gareth Southgate, who included him in his provisional Euro 2024 squad this summer.

“All of the players took the news really respectfully, of course all players are going to believe they should be in; that is why they are top players, they have the self-belief and the mindset," Southgate said last week when explaining his decision to cut Trafford. “The fact is, we have got some players who have been playing extremely well all season in the league and we just feel other players have had stronger seasons, particularly in the past six months or so.”

Trafford may have had a poor season at Burnley but could still prove to be a shrewd signing at a time where Newcastle need to be making smart decisions in the face of continuing spending concerns.

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