Newcastle United refusing to be held to ransom over £30m priority transfer target according to report

If the PIF's Newcastle United have made anything clear in their brief existence, it is that they will not be forced into paying more than what they deem to be an acceptable value for a player.

It's easy to assume that if PSR was scrapped and Newcastle were allowed to spend the vast wealth their owners possess, things would be wildly different, but as things are, Newcastle are adamant they will not overpay for any player.

Since the takeover, Newcastle's transfer chiefs have been hit with what they call a 'Saudi Tax'. Clubs are aware of Newcastle's moniker of "The Richest Club In The World", and rather ignorantly, ignore the reality that it doesn't matter how rich our owners are, we are bound by arbitrary rules that massively limit our ability to spend.

Despite knowing that PSR exists and that Newcastle, pre-takeover, were not a wealthy club and therefore don't have a lot of headroom to play with in terms of PSR, clubs will still add a few million pounds extra on the valuation of a player when Newcastle come knocking.

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Burnley are trying to squeeze more money out of Newcastle United

The PIF didn't get to their levels of wealth by making bad investments and buckling in negotiations, however, and they're using that same business sense when it comes to player transfers, and if anyone tries it on, the club will walk away from a deal.

That's going to be no different in the case of James Trafford. Newcastle want the 22-year-old 'keeper, Trafford wants the move, but Burnley have doubled his asking price in 12 months, and Newcastle will not pay it, as reported in The Telegraph.

Newcastle are prepared to pay £30 million for Trafford, which is an extra £10 million on top of what they were willing to pay last year, but Burnley are now demanding £40 million.

Burnley could do more harm than good if they hold out for more money

The Telegraph states that Newcastle will be willing to walk away from the deal. They already have other targets in mind should things not work out in the pursuit of Trafford.

Burnley may not be too bothered, though. For all there was talk of a verbal agreement that Trafford could leave this summer if a bid came in, they'd definitely be more than happy to try and keep him after such an amazing season for them in the Championship.

Would it be worth upsetting one of their best players and risking him being unhappy and unwilling to play for the sake of £10 million, though? We're not sure. There are still plenty more twists and turns to come in this one, we feel.