Burnley co-owner JJ Watt has a message for Newcastle United about signing James Trafford
James Rutherford
3 minutes
Newcastle United continue to be linked with signing James Trafford.
The Magpies looked likely to sign the Burnley goalkeeper in the summer, only for their PSR debacle to end that dream.
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Newcastle United ended up signing Oydsseas Vlachodimos from Nottingham Forest, with Elliot Anderson moving the other way. The transfers were only done to balance the books, and Newcastle got the rough end of the deal.
Despite having a surplus of goalkeepers, Newcastle continue to target James Trafford. Toon officials want someone who can eventually replace Nick Pope as the Magpies’ number one, and Trafford looks ideal for that role.
Newcastle missed out on Trafford on deadline day, and it remains to be seen if he will arrive in January.
It has been claimed that Trafford wants to join Newcastle United, with the Magpies reportedly considering a £20million move. However, a lot of dominoes may need to fall for Paul Mitchell to strike a deal.
James Trafford of Burnley during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burnley FC and Watford FC at Turf Moor on December 21, 2024 in Burnley, Eng…
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
JJ Watt addresses James Trafford’s future amid Newcastle United interest
Burnley want to keep Trafford, and now the Clarets’ co-owner JJ Watt has spoken about the 22-year-old’s future.
Watt appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, and was asked about Burnley’s goalkeeper after the former NFL star spoke about how good Scott Parker’s side have been defensively.
“Goalie, great – James Trafford,” he said.
“Phenomenal. Young goalie. Future England number one. Fantastic keeper.”
In response, Pat McAfee then suggests that Trafford will not be at Burnley for too long if he is as good as JJ Watt says.
Watt responded by saying: “Don’t worry about it. We’ll figure it out. It’ll all be…fine.”
Trafford will not sign if Newcastle United keep Martin Dubravka
Watt was hardly committal when it came to keeping Trafford at Turf Moor.
However, it is going to be incredibly difficult for Newcastle United to strike a deal during the January transfer window.
Any move will be dependent on another goalkeeper leaving St James’ Park, with Martin Dubravka the only stopper who is being linked with a move away.
There was speculation that a move to Saudi Arabia was imminent, but that does not appear to be the case.
Newcastle United now want to keep the 35-year-old and offer him a new deal, but Dubravka is reluctant to sign a new contract.
Unless the Magpies change their mind and allow Dubravka to leave, JJ Watt does not need to worry about Newcastle making a move for Trafford.
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