Newcastle United make huge James Trafford decision as goalkeeper situation is assessed
This summer, it was expected that Newcastle United would sign James Trafford from Burnley. It was all being reported as a done deal weeks before the transfer window even opened.
Ultimately, as Newcastle stalled on making their move, Manchester City suddenly became interested in bringing him back to the Etihad and invoked their buy-back clause, which Trafford, who had seemingly been all up for a move to Tyneside, accepted.
Unfortunately for Trafford, after sealing his move and starting the first couple of games of the season, Pep Guardiola made a move to bring in Gianluigi Donnarumma, dropping Trafford down the pecking order.
Meanwhile, Newcastle brought in Aaron Ramsdale on loan for the season as backup for Nick Pope. Neither goalkeeper has really covered themselves in glory so far this seaso,n and a new goalkeeper is likely to be high on the priority list when the summer transfer window comes around again.
Newcastle will turn their back on James Trafford
It seems, however, that if Newcastle are indeed going to be looking for a new stopper, they will not be giving James Trafford a third chance to join the club after two consecutive summers of seeing moves collapse.
Instead, according to the Daily Mail, the Magpies have their eye on Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro, 30, and Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, 28.
The report is keen to stress that these are just names that are currently being discussed, and no approaches have been made or are expected to be made in January.
Gregor Kobel would be a fantastic signing for Newcastle
If Newcastle could land Switzerland international, Gregor Kobel, that would be a massive coup for the Magpies, and while he doesn't have the advantage of youth that James Trafford brings, he's got a wealth of experience and is still relatively young for a goalkeeper.
We imagine he'd cost a pretty penny to pry away from Dortmund, however. Alex Remiro isn't someone I'm overly familiar with, so his name didn't spark the same joy as seeing Kobel's name.
There's a long way to go before Newcastle has to finalise their list, however, and there's still time for Ramsdale to play his way into a permanent move, although with no clean sheets while deputising for Nick Pope in the recent run of games, he's probably going to need a miracle.
