Newcastle United could offer Man City an unexpected transfer bonus

Newcastle United could give Manchester City a transfer advantage as they pursue the signing of a £16m goalkeeper.

The Magpies are reportedly in talks with Burnley over a deal for former City stopper James Trafford. The Daily Mail report that Eddie Howe’s side have made a bid of £16m and the Clarets are looking for a package worth £20m.

Trafford came through City’s academy and two loan spells at Bolton in League One were enough to earn him a move to Premier League newcomers Burnley last summer in a £15million deal that would could rise to £19 million. Trafford struggled in a Vincent Kompany-led Burnley side that never recovered from a dreadful start and the 21-year-old lost his place in goal in the last 10 games of the season in the face of former youth teammate Aro Muric.

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However, Trafford’s stock continued to rise. He has been named in Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man England squad for the European Championship, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich also credited with an interest in signing him this year.

City inserted a 20% sell-on clause in the deal that took Trafford to Burnley, meaning they will get a fifth of any profit made by the Clarets. A proposed £20million fee for the goalkeeper would mean the Blues would receive a six-figure, rather than seven-figure sum, but any fee will be happily accepted.

Both of City’s main goalkeepers have decisions to make about their futures this summer, with Stefan Ortega previously indicating he wants more regular game time and Ederson receiving interest from the Saudi Pro League.