Journalist now says Newcastle are working hard on new deal for 21-year-old after first bid was rejected

Newcastle United's pursuit of a new deputy for Nick Pope is stepping up a gear as talk of Martin Dubravka leaving this summer intensifies.

It's becoming more likely that Martin Dubravka will leave Newcastle this summer with Celtic looking to be his most likely destination.

That leaves Eddie Howe with a gap to fill with the gaffer preferring to go with four goalkeepers in his squad. Loris Karius has already departed with veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy seemingly mulling over a contract from the Magpies to fill that void.

Now Newcastle must find their long-term replacement for Nick Pope that has been a priority going into the summer transfer window.

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Newcastle's initial bid for Trafford was turned down by Burnley

The Magpies walked away from a £35million deal for Georgia international Giorgi Marmadashvili over a discrepancy in their valuation versus that of Valencia. After seeing him perform at Euro 2024, that looks to have been a mistake.

However, mistake or not, Newcastle moved on to Burnley's 21-year-old stopper James Trafford and while personal terms are expected to be no problem, finding a compromise with the club may be.

Burnley brought Trafford to the club last summer for £19million from Manchester City, who also inserted a 20% sell-on clause into the deal.

Newcastle are 'optimistic' over a deal for James Trafford

Newcastle's initial bid for Trafford would have seen the Lancashire club take quite a hit on the youngster and therefore rejected the bid, but journalist Ben Jacobs has told Give Me Sport that Newcastle are optimistic of reaching a compromise.

"In terms of priorities for incomings, Newcastle want a goalkeeper, and they're still working on James Trafford from Burnley. Burnley want £20million for that deal, and Newcastle's last offer was about £16million - but it was quite add-on heavy.

"So not only would Newcastle have to go up in value, but they would also have to provide more of a guaranteed fee to get that over the line. But they remain optimistic, nonetheless."

The 21-year-old is already an England international, but there are question marks over how good he can really get. At such a young age though, and learning from Nick Pope, we believe there's still plenty that Newcastle could get out of him for many years to come.

Although, obviously, we'd much prefer if we went back to Valencia, cap in hand, apologised for walking away and ask if £35millin could still get us Giorgi Marmadashvili before every other club in Europe comes knocking.