Newcastle United interested in Liverpool linked goalkeeper
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Liverpool face a stern test this weekend as they host Chelsea, aiming to bounce back from defeat to Manchester United.Their push for UEFA Champions League football was boosted after Chelsea were eliminated from the top-five race following a loss to Nottingham Forest.Bournemouth, Brentford, and Brighton & Hove Albion remain the only sides capable of catching Liverpool and Aston Villa.Off the pitch, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah are set to depart, while targets include Yan Diomande, Marcos Senesi, Bradley Barcola and Adam Wharton. Alisson Becker has been linked with Juventus, with Diogo Costa and James Trafford potential replacements.Liverpool will face strong competition from Newcastle United for James Trafford if they pursue a deal for the England international.Newcastle are prioritising a new goalkeeper this summer after identifying the position as a weakness.
According to Telegraph Sport, a shortlist has been drawn up featuring Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen, Lens’ Robin Risser, and Trafford, although other options are also being assessed.Nick Pope has started the last two matches after previously losing his place to Aaron Ramsdale, but both goalkeepers have made high-profile errors and offer contrasting profiles.Trafford appears to be Newcastle United’s early preferred option as they look to strengthen their goalkeeping department. The club believe the Englishman has the potential to become a long-term first choice for both club and country.Newcastle United have previously tried and failed to sign him, and were again close last summer after initially agreeing a fee with Burnley.
Trafford had even told friends and Newcastle players that a move to Tyneside was likely.However, Manchester City activated a clause from his 2023 sale to Burnley, matching Newcastle’s agreed £27m fee to bring him back to the Etihad.Trafford believed he could compete for the No.1 spot at City and was also offered significantly higher wages, reportedly exceeding £100,000 per week, making a move elsewhere more complicated.He remains on the radar of several Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, while Newcastle continue to monitor his situation but are wary of entering another prolonged transfer battle.