Fabrizio Romano drops James Trafford bombshell as personal terms agreed with Newcastle

Manchester City have now entered the frame to potentially hijack Newcastle United’s long-term pursuit of Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, a development that could significantly alter the trajectory of the player’s future.

Trafford, who had previously come close to sealing a move to St James’ Park, has once again become the centre of transfer speculation—this time with the Premier League champions evaluating whether to trigger their buy-back clause.

Last summer, Trafford was poised to join Newcastle, but the deal collapsed amid the chaos of Financial Fair Play negotiations.

Nottingham Forest intervened, demanding Greek shot-stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of a separate transaction, which ultimately disrupted the Magpies’ carefully laid plans.

Consequently, Trafford remained at Burnley, where he went on to enjoy a historic Championship season. The 22-year-old set new records, keeping 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals, spearheading Burnley’s return to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Newcastle reignited their interest earlier this summer and came close to finalizing a transfer. Sources close to the club confirmed that negotiations with Burnley reached an advanced stage, with an agreement nearly in place for a reported fee in the region of £35 million.

However, just as a breakthrough seemed imminent, Burnley reportedly changed their stance, halting the momentum and leaving Newcastle in limbo. In recent weeks, dialogue between the two clubs has cooled significantly.

In the midst of that silence, renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano delivered a game-changing update. According to his exclusive report, Manchester City are actively considering re-signing Trafford if one of their two senior goalkeepers—Ederson or Stefan Ortega—depart in the current window.

Both City keepers are out of contract in 2026, with Ederson in particular being linked with Turkish giants Galatasaray. The club’s growing openness to change in the goalkeeping department has led them to evaluate the potential of bringing Trafford back, especially given the existence of a buy-back clause.

City sold Trafford to Burnley for £19 million two years ago, and according to reports from Mail Online, the buy-back clause embedded in that deal exceeds £40 million.

This figure sits notably above Newcastle’s current valuation, and could become a decisive factor if City opt to formally re-enter the race. Romano confirmed that recent contact has taken place between Trafford’s camp and Manchester City, and that the clause is the key reason why Newcastle have yet to seal the deal.

The delay in closing the transaction could offer City the perfect opportunity to reclaim one of their former academy talents.

Despite the complications, Trafford remains personally aligned with Newcastle’s project. He has already agreed personal terms and previously spoke candidly about his desire to join the Magpies last summer.

In a revealing interview with the Fozcast, Trafford explained that he was fully behind the proposed move, not because he felt too big for the Championship, but because he genuinely believed the opportunity suited his ambitions.

He emphasized that he holds no ego about playing in England’s second tier, stressing that real validation only comes from performance, not perception.

He described the failed move as a bitter pill to swallow, acknowledging that he had emotionally prepared himself for the switch. His attitude during Burnley’s preseason reflected a young player who was both disappointed and determined.

Although he admitted to being moody due to the transfer saga, he maintained a high standard in training and told manager Vincent Kompany that he remained fully committed to playing if selected. That professionalism paid off, as he was chosen for the opening game of the season and never looked back.

Now, with Manchester City lurking and Newcastle scrambling to overcome financial and negotiation barriers, Trafford’s next move remains uncertain.

The possibility of a return to the Etihad—where he began his professional journey—complicates Newcastle’s plan to secure their long-term number one.

Whether the Magpies can convince Burnley to commit to the original fee or whether City will activate their clause may ultimately define one of the most intriguing goalkeeping sagas of the summer transfer window.