A look at the latest Newcastle United headlines ahead of a crunch clash with Nottingham Forest.
The transfer window may have slammed shut just a few weeks ago but speculation linking players to Newcastle United has not died down. The Magpies had a relatively quiet window, with Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly both departing the club, with no new faces coming through the door.
Newcastle’s ongoing battle with PSR was the main reason behind their inactivity, but that’s expected to change come the next summer transfer window. The Magpies announced contract extensions for both Martin Dubravka and Emil Krafth yesterday, but they continue to be linked with a number of players in various positions.
Newcastle interest in forward ‘worth noting’ after public fallout
Reports in Italy continue to link Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman with a move to St James’ Park. ASRomaLive claims Newcastle’s interest is ‘worth noting’ – if Eddie Howe’s team are able to qualify for the Champions League.
However, as reported earlier this week, Lookman’s future has been cast into doubt after some scathing comments from boss Gian Piero Gasperini. Arsenal and Chelsea are also said to be keen on signing the 27-year-old, as are Serie A side Juventus.
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Lookman in the past and his goal scoring record since moving to Italy is not to be sniffed at. That being said, there will still be doubts over whether he’d be able to do it in the Premier League, having struggled to find the back of the net in previous spells at Goodison Park, Fulham and Leicester City. Still, he’d bring some much needed depth in advanced areas of the pitch.
Newcastle ‘on course’ to complete James Trafford signing
The Sun claims James Trafford is ‘on course’ to become a Newcastle player in the summer, regardless of whether Burnley win promotion this summer or not. The report comes on the same days as the Magpies tied down Martin Dubravka to a new deal at St James’ Park, extending his stay for another year.
However, the Toon are understood to be pushing on with their interest in Trafford who has impressed in the EFL Championship with the Clarets this season. His former club Manchester City are said to have a buy-back clause as part of the package that saw him move to Turf Moor back in 2023 – for a reported fee of £40million.
Newcastle, however, are said to not be to worried about that having brokered a £16million deal in the summer, before it collapsed. The report indicates the Toon believe they can get a deal over the line for the England youth international who has not conceded for over 1,000 minutes in the second tier.
It’s no secret that Newcastle are admirers of James Trafford, though Martin Dubravka’s new deal certainly raises questions about a potential deal. They already have Nick Pope, Mark Gillespie, John Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodmis and Dubravka on their books, so there’ll need to be some departures there before a move for the Burnley shot stopper is sanctioned.
“That being said, Trafford has the potential to be a future England international and has his best years ahead of him, with Newcastle’s current goalkeeping department not getting any younger.
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