News on Friday that Newcastle United are trying to sign James Trafford.
It comes via an exclusive from the very reliable David Ornstein of The Athletic.
He says his information is that Newcastle United have made contact with Manchester City to begin the process of trying to finally land James Trafford.
I know you will all be thinking we’ve heard it all before, how many other transfer windows we have been told the same, only for James Trafford in the end not joining Newcastle United.
However, David Ornstein insistent that the determination is there to get the deal done this time: ‘Newcastle United have rekindled their interest in signing James Trafford as work continues to bolster the club’s goalkeeping unit.’
Ornstein reporting that: ‘The end of Aaron Ramsdale’s loan enabled 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen to be secured from Reims, while first-choice Nick Pope could depart if another senior addition arrives.’
I think it is transparently obvious and it has been for some time, that James Trafford is the goalkeeper that Eddie Howe has really wanted to buy. However, the club failing to follow that up in a decisive manner needed to get the deal done previously.
My belief is that it sounds an exciting and very sound plan to have James Trafford and Ewen Jaouen as a longer-term goalkeeping strategy. For a 20-year-old Jaouen to come in and instantly be number one, having only played at second tier level in France, was always going to be a tough ask.
David Ornstein saying that what happened in the past 12 months has convinced Newcastle United that they can at last land James Trafford AND convince Manchester City to part with him.
James Trafford was signed by Manchester City and believed he was their new number one last summer and started the season in the team, only for then Pep Guardiola to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma. Trafford only started four Premier League matches in total out of the 38.
When asked in February 2026 about how things had turned out, James Trafford was very honest: “It (being No. 2) wasn’t what I expected…I tried to guard against the situation happening but it is the reality. I know every time I play I have got to give it my best shot and try to win and try to improve. That is the current situation I’m in.”
Newcastle United have now made the initial contact but the man from The Athletic saying formal negotiations are yet to start, with also the situation complicated by James Trafford being out in the USA with the England squad.
The sides are yet to enter formal negotiations and the situation is complicated by Trafford wanting to hold off deciding his future until returning from the World Cup.
James Trafford will turn 24 in October and surely now will be looking to get regular first team football. He needs a move to do so and then if playing every week in the Premier League he can challenge Jordon Pickford to become England’s new number one after this World Cup.
It would be great if Newcastle United can get this deal done relatively quickly and there are already reports of other players set to complete moves despite currently being out at the World Cup, so it isn’t an insurmountable issue.
I am guessing the scenario is that Eddie Howe and Newcastle United will look to keep Nick Pope at the club until James Trafford, or an alternative new keeper, is signed to follow Ewen Jaouen through the door. Only then letting Pope to move on for first team football elsewhere. The fallback position of course being that if Eddie Howe can’t get another new keeper in, then Nick Pope and Ewen Jaouen can be the pair of keepers in place for the 2026/27 season.