As the second transfer window of the summer nears, one of the main topics of conversation among Newcastle United fans is: Should the club pay up for James Trafford?

The Burnley goalkeeper has been a long-time Magpies target and Chronicle Live last week reported he is available this summer for a fee of around £35m. This time 12 months ago, when Trafford had suffered a dismal relegation with the Clarets, his price tag was at the £20m mark.

The argument against signing Trafford revolves around the premise of Newcastle having plenty of attractive outfield targets on their shopping list this summer. Paying over £35m for a young, relatively inexperienced goalkeeper, therefore, doesn’t make the most sense to some, given Nick Pope's steadiness of late.

However, Newcastle have long been admirers of the shot-stopper, known for being one of the best in the business with the ball at his feet, and could potentially be signing not just for the here and now - but for the future too.

Just take a look at Everton's move for Jordan Pickford. The Merseyside outfit, back in 2017, went big to ensure the then-Sunderland goalkeeper arrived at Goodison Park for a club-record fee.

A deal for £30m, back then, was a huge amount of money and represented a hefty risk for the Merseyside outfit. Instead, it has proved an absolute masterstroke. Pickford has made 315 appearances and has been England’s ever-present No1 in recent years.

Trafford is arguably the man second in line to Pickford at international level. Dean Henderson may have got the nod in the Everton man’s absence in the defeat to Senegal this week but Trafford is a regular England star in waiting.

England boss Thomas Tuchel recently said: "Jordan has been in goal for a long, long time. He earned his place with consistent performances at a high level. Jordan trains at the highest level and we're very, very happy with him.

"He's doing everything to keep his place because he feels that Dean stepped up and found another gear. Dean got a vital title [FA Cup] for Palace and he was a big figure. This helped his confidence a lot.

"Then we have the very young James Trafford who played a fantastic, record-breaking campaign with Burnley and got clean sheets. Hopefully he can prove himself in the Premier League next season and then the race is on. It is a fight for every position, there is no exception for goalkeepers."

At just 22, Trafford could be the long-term equivalent between the sticks to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall at full-back for Newcastle. The Magpies’ hierarchy will be well aware of this fact and will also know rival interest in Trafford's signature will be significant.

Do they bite the bullet this summer and take a leaf out of Everton's book all those years ago?

Treasure a season to remember

Newcastle United's 2024-25 campaign has to rank as one of the best in living memory. Not only did Eddie Howe's side qualify for the Champions League by securing fifth place in the Premier League, but they ended their long wait for silverware by winning the Carabao Cup

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