Newcastle United’s long-standing interest in James Trafford is a story that refuses to disappear, and it says a lot about how highly Eddie Howe rates the young goalkeeper.
The Magpies came very close to securing his signature more than once, only to see circumstances and timing work against them. Even now, Trafford remains a player admired at St James’ Park, despite the obstacles that have made a move increasingly difficult.
Back in June 2024, Newcastle believed they were on the verge of landing Trafford. Plans were advanced, confidence was high, and the deal looked set to be completed. However, everything changed when Newcastle were forced into an unexpected move in the transfer market due to Profit and Sustainability Rules.
That situation led to Odysseas Vlachodimos arriving at the club as part of a complex deal with Nottingham Forest, which also saw Elliot Anderson move in the opposite direction. As a result, the Trafford transfer was put on hold and ultimately collapsed, despite Newcastle’s clear desire to bring him in.
The interest did not fade. Newcastle returned the following summer with renewed determination and eventually agreed a £27 million deal for Trafford. Once again, it appeared the Magpies had finally got their man. But Manchester City, Trafford’s former club, stepped in at the last moment.
By exercising a matching rights option built into previous agreements, City effectively blocked the transfer and brought Trafford back under their control. For Newcastle, it was a frustrating outcome, especially after investing so much time and effort into the pursuit.
Trafford’s journey is an interesting one. He spent eight years developing within Manchester City’s academy before being sold to Burnley for a reported £19 million.
His progress there earned him admiration across the league, including from Eddie Howe, who has never hidden his appreciation for the goalkeeper’s ability, composure, and potential. That admiration has not changed, even as Trafford’s career has taken another turn.
This season, Trafford began the campaign as Pep Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper. However, the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain shifted the pecking order. With an established world-class name now between the posts, Trafford has found his opportunities limited.
He has made just eight appearances across all competitions, a sharp contrast to the role he might have hoped for at this stage of his career. Still, he has been trusted in domestic cup competitions and has started all three of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup matches, which means he could feature against Newcastle in their upcoming clash.
When Eddie Howe was asked about Newcastle’s previous attempts to sign Trafford and whether a future move could still happen, his response was calm and respectful.
He made it clear that he remains a big admirer of the goalkeeper, describing him as very, very good. Howe also acknowledged that Manchester City are in a strong position with their goalkeeping options, praising the quality they have available this season.
Rather than dwelling on missed opportunities, Howe focused on wishing Trafford well and looked ahead to the challenge of facing him should he play.
Despite the praise, another Newcastle move for Trafford appears unlikely, at least for now. There are two major reasons behind this. The first is financial. Trafford’s wages are believed to be a potential stumbling block, especially as Newcastle continue to balance ambition with strict financial regulations.
The second issue is the strained working relationship between Newcastle and Manchester City behind the scenes. That relationship has become even more complicated due to City’s strong interest in Tino Livramento, which has added another layer of tension between the two clubs.
After missing out on Trafford, Newcastle moved quickly to strengthen their goalkeeping department in another way. Aaron Ramsdale joined the club on a season-long loan from Southampton, with an option in place to make the deal permanent for £20 million in the summer.
Ramsdale has not displaced Nick Pope as the first-choice goalkeeper in the league, but he has still played an important role. Like Trafford at City, Ramsdale has started all of Newcastle’s Carabao Cup matches this season and made a huge impact in the FA Cup.
Against AFC Bournemouth last Saturday, Ramsdale became the hero of the night by saving three penalties in a dramatic 7–6 shootout win. It was a moment that reminded everyone of his quality and his ability to perform under pressure.
Eddie Howe was full of praise afterwards, highlighting how much Ramsdale had to do during the game and how well he handled those big moments. Howe also noted that Ramsdale thrives in high-pressure situations and suggested that performances like that will quickly endear him to the club and its supporters.
With a crucial match against Manchester City approaching, the question of who starts in goal naturally arises. Howe has kept his cards close to his chest, stressing that he is very happy with both goalkeepers at his disposal. He has also spoken positively about Nick Pope’s return to the team, praising his recent performances and professionalism. In Howe’s view, Newcastle are fortunate to have real strength and depth in such a vital position.
While the Trafford chapter may be closed for now, it still serves as a reminder of Newcastle’s ambition and the type of talent they continue to target. For Eddie Howe, admiration for the player remains, but his focus is firmly on the options he has and the battles ahead.
