Newcastle United have already 'agreed' their third summer signing after double swoop

Newcastle United are set to push ahead with plans to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford after agreeing their latest signing.

The Magpies are set to bring in Lloyd Kelly on a five-year contract, which includes an option of a further year, on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth. The 25-year-old is due to undergo his medical down south on Wednesday before being formally announced as United player.

Kelly will effectively become Newcastle’s second signing of the summer after Lewis Hall. The young left-back spent the last campaign on loan from Chelsea but has triggered the performance-related criteria to convert his stay into a permanent one for an initial £28million.

Now Eddie Howe’s side will be looking to seal a deal for Trafford. The 21-year-old is keen on a move to the North East and according to some outlets has already agreed personal terms. But as it stands, Newcastle are yet to agree a transfer fee with Burnley.

The Clarets are understood to want north of £20million for Trafford, who became the third most expensive English goalkeeper of all-time when he joined from Manchester City in a deal worth £19m with add-ons. Negotiations are ongoing — Man City are due a fifth of the profit — but there is optimism that the two clubs will reach an agreement.

Indeed, Newcastle are in the market for a goalkeeper 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 Celtic and Middle Eastern clubs as the 35-year-old enters the final 12 months of his contract. 

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

Having struggled for form, resulting in him being dropped for the remaining 12 games of last season, there has been a mixed response to United’s pursuit from fans. However, it was only 12 months ago that the former Bolton Wanderers loanee was being discussed as one of the country’s most exciting young prospects.

Trafford played a starring role in England under-21s’ European Championship success last summer as he went through the entire tournament without conceding a goal, saving a 98th-minute penalty against Spain in the final.

Cole Palmer, who came through Man City’s academy with Trafford, was also part of the team and he is adamant that Trafford is going to be world-class.

Palmer said: "Wow. He's so good. You could see it in the academy. Even in training, he's so hard to score past. I'm just glad everyone else is seeing it. He knows himself how good he is but he's not arrogant. He's a nice lad. He's a normal lad who believes in himself.

"When he first came, everyone was thinking, 'who's this kid?' As time went on, everyone was looking at each other, like 'wow'. He just goes about his business on his own. I always say to him - even when we were little - that he is going to be world class."

Considering his age and the difficulties of playing in a relegated team, Trafford shouldn’t be written off any time soon.