adminNewcastle United could be set to make another major move for a young English talent after the success they enjoyed with Anthony Gordon.
It is fair to say that Newcastle hit the jackpot when they paid £45m to sign Anthony Gordon from Everton in January 2023.
The 25-year-old forward went on to score 39 goals and provide 28 assists in 152 appearances for the club in all competitions, including ten goals in 18 Champions League matches.
The Magpies took a risk on Gordon when they spent £45m on him, as he had only scored seven goals in 78 games for Everton after progressing through their academy system.
That gamble paid off, with Gordon becoming a key player under Eddie Howe and helping the club achieve success both domestically and in Europe. He also played an important role in Newcastle’s League Cup triumph in the 2024/25 season, contributing two goals and one assist in six matches during the competition.
Newcastle make contact for James Trafford
Following Gordon’s £70m move to Barcelona, Newcastle are now looking at another promising English talent who could follow a similar path at St James’ Park.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Newcastle have reignited their interest in Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.
The report states that Newcastle have already made contact with Manchester City regarding a potential summer move, although formal negotiations have not yet begun.
Newcastle attempted to sign Trafford from Burnley last summer before Manchester City won the race for his signature. The Magpies remain keen on bringing him to Tyneside and reportedly have a firm desire to complete the deal.
However, Manchester City are said to value the goalkeeper at around £40m, and it remains unclear whether Newcastle are willing to meet that asking price.
Why Trafford could follow Gordon’s path
Although £40m may seem like a significant fee for a goalkeeper, many felt the same way about Gordon’s £45m transfer in 2023 before it proved to be excellent business.
Trafford has found opportunities limited behind Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City, but he has impressed whenever called upon.
In four Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 season, the 23-year-old prevented 2.53 more goals than expected and completed eight sweeping actions.
Trafford’s Premier League stats per 90 (2025/26)
Stat Per 90 Rank vs Goalkeepers
Saves 3.50 Top 13%
Save success rate 70% Top 26%
Goals prevented +0.63 Top 1%
Sweeper actions 2.00 Top 1%
Pass accuracy 74% Top 24%
Clean sheets 0.25 Top 47%
Trafford ranked among the top 1% of Premier League goalkeepers for both goals prevented and sweeping actions per 90 minutes. By comparison, Newcastle’s Nick Pope ranked in the bottom 13% for goals prevented per 90 (-0.13).
Those numbers suggest Trafford could provide a significant upgrade, particularly in terms of shot-stopping ability. It may also explain why England manager Thomas Tuchel selected him ahead of Pope.
While Premier League minutes were limited, Trafford served as Pep Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper in both the FA Cup and League Cup.
He kept seven clean sheets in 12 appearances across the two competitions, including clean sheets in both finals against Arsenal and Chelsea. He also saved a penalty against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Those performances showed his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations and suggest he is ready for the demands of being a regular starter at a club competing at the top end of the Premier League.
Given his shot-stopping statistics, composure, and experience at Manchester City, Trafford could be an excellent long-term option for Newcastle.
Much like Gordon in 2023, Trafford may simply need the opportunity to play regularly. If Newcastle can secure his signature this summer, the £40m fee could eventually look like a bargain if he develops into one of the league’s top goalkeepers.
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Abdulhafiz Teslim
