James Trafford reportedly set to turn down Newcastle United this summer to join Premier League rivals
Newcastle United's pursuit of young England goalkeeper James Trafford has been a messy one, to say the least.
Two seasons ago, Newcastle looked to be getting close to signing the young Burnley stopper, but due to PSR concerns, couldn't seal the deal and ultimately ended up with Odysseas Vlachodimos as part of a quasi-swap deal with Nottingham Forest to beat PSR sanctions.
Then, last summer, everything looked nailed on for the deal to go through after the disappointment on both sides that it wasn't completed in the previous summer.
However, Newcastle's sporting director at the time, Paul "Pisses off everyone he speaks to" Mitchell, had upset Trafford's representatives in negotiations, and the move stalled long enough for Manchester City to activate their buy-back clause, with Trafford choosing to return to the Etihad over joining Newcastle.
Newcastle may try for a third time to land James Trafford this summer
It proved to be a mistake on Trafford's part, though, as not long after his arrival, Pep Guardiola went out and brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma and made him the first-choice goalkeeper, reducing Trafford to appearances in cup competitions.
Trafford does seem regretful about his choices, and that has led to speculation about his future at City, and once again, it has been suggested that Newcastle could be his destination in the summer.
Newcastle brought in Aaron Ramsdale in the summer, but the former Arsenal goalkeeper is only on loan from Southampton, leaving Newcastle still searching for a permanent successor to Nick Pope.
Paul Mitchell seems to have completely turned James Trafford off Newcastle United
However, The Shields Gazette now claims that Aston Villa are ready to beat Newcastle to the signing of Trafford, and even claims that it's being reported that the 23-year-old would prefer a move to Villa Park.
Two years ago, Trafford was devastated that the move to Tyneside fell through, and now he can't seem to give us a wide enough berth. Just what did Paul Mitchell do?
Mitchell was at Newcastle for less than a year, and he seems to have left one hell of a legacy, all of it negative.
