Newcastle’s torrid summer has gone from bad to worse after Manchester City hijacked their move for England Under-21 goalkeeper James Trafford.
Newcastle had made Trafford their first-choice goalkeeper target and were involved in protracted talks with Burnley over a deal for the 22-year-old, in whom they have had a long-standing interest.
Yet City have now swept in to re-sign Trafford two years after he left for Burnley after matching Newcastle’s £27m offer, thus stealing him from under the noses of the North East club.
Trafford had set his sights on a move to Newcastle but had his head turned once City made their move. He has agreed a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
It comes a day after star striker Alexander Isak has expressed a desire to explore his options away from Newcastle after Liverpool showed interested in him.
Telegraph Sport understands the decision on Isak’s future will be made by Newcastle’s Saudi owners, with the club continuing to insist the striker is not for sale.
Alexander Isak – Alexander Isak’s Newcastle future: Saudis to make final call rather than Eddie Howe
The unsettled Alexander Isak has not travelled with the Newcastle squad on their pre-season tour of the Far East Credit: PA/Owen Humphreys
The Premier League champions made it known last week they would be willing to pay a British record £120m for the Sweden international. That would be well below Newcastle’s valuation of the player, which is in excess of £150m.
Liverpool have not yet made a formal bid for Isak although that could change in the coming days as they look to test Newcastle’s resolve to keep the 25-year-old.
Newcastle have explored a possible deal to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who has been a long-term target, in the last few days but it is not known whether this would be as a replacement for Isak or to play alongside him next season.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan
Yasir Al-Rumayyan is assuming the lead on the Isak drama despite normally taking a back seat in the day-to-day running of the club Credit: Reuters/Dylan Martinez
Al-Rumayyan’s direct involvement in the situation is unusual at Newcastle, with the chairman normally taking a backseat in the day-to-day running of the club.
But given the significance of the decision on Isak, who still has three years left on his contract and has been told he is not for sale this summer, PIF want to take the lead rather than leave it up to the manager, Eddie Howe.
In addition to Isak and Trafford, Newcastle have been dealt a succession of blows in the transfer window this summer.
Howe has seen a number of transfer targets, including Bryan Mbeumo, Liam Delap, João Pedro and Hugo Etkitike join rivals.
City activate matching rights on Trafford
Trafford will compete for a first-team spot with Ederson, who is staying at City despite reports linking him with a move. Stefan Ortega is expected to leave the club.
City sold Trafford to Burnley for £14m in 2023 with a further £5m payable in add-ons.
City activated matching rights on Newcastle’s offer under the terms of that deal and Trafford viewed a return to the Etihad as too good an opportunity to turn down.
Burnley had originally been holding out for £40m, which had slowed Newcastle’s hopes of getting a deal done. But the situation accelerated over the past fortnight once City came in.
Trafford endured a tough season in the Premier League under Vincent Kompany at Burnley in 2023-24, when they were relegated after conceding 78 goals.
He lost his place in the team in the final months of the campaign, but was outstanding last season under Scott Parker as Burnley conceded just 16 goals in 45 games en route to winning promotion at the first attempt.
Trafford was included in Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for the Euros last summer before being cut before the tournament started, but he has his sights on the England No 1 spot under Thomas Tuchel for next year’s World Cup in the United States.
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