Newcastle United look to be moving quickly this summer.
Having gone so long without a first-team signing at the club, Newcastle United know they need to act fast ahead of the opening of the transfer window.
Eddie Howe wants quick-fire transfer action at Newcastle this summer, with other top Premier League clubs making moves in the market.
Indeed, Newcastle held talks with Liam Delap but it now appears as if the striker is set to join Chelsea instead.
That’s an early blow for Newcastle but the latest transfer news is at least slightly more positive.
After a saga spanning what feels like an age, there’s been a development in regard to James Trafford.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesNewcastle United set to bid for James Trafford
According to The Daily Mail, Newcastle are expected to make an offer for Trafford. Finally, it appears as if there will be some action taken after months of links with the custodian.
The club have been linked with a number of goalkeepers this summer, given Espanyol’s Joan Garcia is reportedly a Newcastle target.
Trafford has just played a starring role as Burnley got promoted back to the Premier League under former Toon midfielder Scott Parker.
In fact, Trafford’s camp have reportedly told Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell he wants ‘non-negotiable’ first-team football, such has been the level of his form this season.
How James Trafford feels about joining Newcastle
Trafford is open to joining Newcastle, having come close to a move to the club last summer.
Newcastle do want to sign a new goalkeeper but it’s not yet clear what they will do with Nick Pope.
Pope has been a key player under Howe ever since he arrived from Burnley, so the idea of a new player coming in to instantly replace him is difficult to imagine right away.
Perhaps in the long term, Pope would drop out of the starting lineup. To make that call right away, however, would seem particularly ruthless.
Newcastle have been linked with Trafford for an age. It would be good to see an end to the saga, one way or the other.