‘Expected’ - Newcastle United agree personal terms with 21-year-old ahead of £15m bid

Newcastle United have reportedly agreed personal terms with James Trafford as they prepare to submit a fresh offer for the Burnley goalkeeper.

The Magpies are in the market for a goalie to rival Nick Pope for the No.1 jersey. Loris Karius will leave when his contract ends on June 30, while there are question marks over Martin Dubravka’s future.

The Slovakian played the majority of last season after Pope missed five months with a dislocated shoulder. It’s understood there is interest from European and Middle Eastern clubs as the 35-year-old enters the final 12 months of his contract. 

Newcastle have been with moves for Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili but Trafford is the deal Eddie Howe is pursuing. 

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United have already personal terms with the 21-year-old ahead of tabling a £15million plus add-ins bid. It’s been suggested Burnley want £20m.

A former Manchester City youth product, Trafford was part of the England under-21s team that won the Euros last summer. The Premier League champions are understood to have a 20% sell-on clause in his contract - inserted after selling him to Burnley a year ago.

The former Bolton Wanderers loanee made 28 appearances last season before losing his place to Arijanet Muric in the final quarter of the season. The Clarets were relegated from England’s top-flight and recently lost head coach Vincent Kompany to German giants Bayern Munich.