‘Next season’ – Premier League-bound star has already agreed personal terms with Newcastle United

The future of Burnley’s standout goalkeeper James Trafford appears increasingly destined for the Premier League, with the highly-rated shot-stopper openly declaring his belief that top-flight football awaits next season.

As Newcastle United maintain their persistent interest in the 22-year-old, Trafford’s stellar Championship campaign has only strengthened his credentials as one of English football’s most promising young talents between the posts.

Trafford’s remarkable season under former Newcastle captain Scott Parker has been instrumental in Burnley’s push for immediate promotion back to the Premier League. With just 11 goals conceded and an impressive 26 clean sheets in 37 appearances, the Manchester City academy product has established himself as the Championship’s most formidable goalkeeper.

His performances have kept Burnley firmly in the automatic promotion picture, sitting just two points behind Leeds United and Sheffield United with eight crucial matches remaining.

Yet regardless of Burnley’s final position, Trafford’s comments to BBC Radio Lancashire reveal a player ready for the Premier League stage: “I believe I’ll be in the Premier League next season.

It’s where I want to play – it’s obviously the best league in the world. I wanted to get there as quickly as I could and it took two years on loan to develop. I’ve really enjoyed this season in the Championship, but next season I believe I’ll be playing in the Prem.”

Newcastle’s long-standing interest in Trafford dates back to last summer when they saw a £16 million bid rejected, falling short of Burnley’s £20 million valuation.

However, the verbal agreement on personal terms reportedly remains intact according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, suggesting the Magpies view Trafford as their goalkeeping solution for the next decade.

The need for a long-term goalkeeper at St James’ Park has become increasingly apparent. While Nick Pope and Martin Dúbravka have served admirably, their ages (33 and 36 respectively) necessitate planning for the future. Trafford’s profile – combining elite shot-stopping with exceptional distribution – aligns perfectly with Eddie Howe’s preferred style of play.

Parker, who has witnessed Trafford’s development firsthand this season, believes his goalkeeper possesses the potential to become England’s number one: “This is a boy with absolutely humongous potential. I’ve seen real development in his maturity and understanding of the game – when to play, when not to play, and mixing up his game. I don’t think there’s a better goalkeeper in this division in terms of keeping the ball out of his net.”

The England youth international’s credentials extend beyond club football. As part of the England U21 European Championship-winning squad and having trained with Gareth Southgate’s senior team, Trafford has already gained valuable experience at international level.

His inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for World Cup qualifiers ahead of established Premier League goalkeepers demonstrates the high regard in which he’s held within the England setup.

For Newcastle, securing Trafford’s signature would represent both a statement of intent and a practical solution to their evolving goalkeeping situation. The potential transfer carries additional significance given Burnley’s managerial connection to Newcastle through Parker, which could facilitate negotiations between the clubs.

As the Championship promotion race reaches its climax, Trafford’s future remains one of the most intriguing subplots of the upcoming transfer window. Whether he achieves Premier League football with Burnley or through a move to ambitious Newcastle, his rapid ascent shows no signs of slowing down.

For the Magpies, landing one of England’s brightest goalkeeping prospects could prove pivotal in their quest to establish themselves as consistent challengers in the upper echelons of English football.

The coming months will reveal whether Trafford’s Premier League ambition is realized at Turf Moor or St James’ Park, but one thing appears certain – his exceptional talent belongs at the highest level, and Newcastle are determined to ensure that future unfolds on Tyneside.