Newcastle United look set to have several players in the squad for England at the upcoming World Cup this summer, after a host of stars made the squad last month.
Tino Livramento, Aaron Ramsdale, Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon, and Dan Burn all made Thomas Tuchel’s squad in March, whilst Nick Pope has been called up in the past.
Of those players, Gordon and Hall seem to be the most likely players to make the starting line-up for the World Cup, as the left-back and left-wing positions are still up for grabs with the Three Lions.
The Magpies hit the jackpot when they signed Hall from Chelsea for £28m, after an initial spell on loan at St. James’ Park, because they took a player who was not getting game time and have developed him into an England international.
During his time at Stamford Bridge, the full-back only played 12 first-team matches for the Blues before Newcastle decided to snap him up to bolster their squad.
Newcastle could see bid accepted for Premier League star
Hall, who was described as one of the best left-backs in the world by Joleon Lescott last month, went from rarely playing for Chelsea to being an integral star for the Magpies and earning himself a place in the England squad.
Now, Eddie Howe and the recruitment team can repeat that masterclass by swooping for another star who is not getting enough minutes at a top six club.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are set to revisit their interest in goalkeeper James Trafford after they lost out to Manchester City in the race to sign him last summer.
The report claims that the former Burnley star is open to leaving The Etihad after feeling that he was misled last year because City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma to be their number one shortly after signing him.
It adds that the Cityzens could demand a fee of up to £40m for the goalkeeper, which means that the Magpies could see a £40m bid accepted if they decide to make an offer.
The Daily Mail also reveals that Newcastle have made signing a new shot-stopper to be Howe’s number one for next season is their priority in the upcoming summer transfer window, with Trafford topping their list of targets.
How James Trafford would be the next Lewis Hall for Newcastle
A deal to bring the English goalkeeper to St. James’ Park would be similar to the one that brought Hall to the club, as he has not been a regular starter for City.
Trafford, who has been hailed as “unbelievable” by Pep Guardiola, has only played 14 matches in all competitions and three times in the Premier League for Manchester City in the 2025/26 campaign, but has impressed in his limited game time.
|
25/26 season |
James Trafford |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
14 |
|
Clean sheets |
7 |
|
Goals conceded |
10 |
|
Goals prevented |
+5.17 |
|
Error led to shot |
0 |
|
Error led to goal |
1 |
The 23-year-old goalkeeper has prevented 5.17 xG with the quality of his shot-stopping for City across all competitions, helping himself to keep a clean sheet every other game on average.
His most notable performance for Guardiola’s side to date came in the League Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley last month, when he made a terrific triple save with the score at 0-0 before his team went on to win the trophy.
Trafford also saved a penalty from Mohamed Salah in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup to keep a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Liverpool in his next appearance, but he has been an unused substitute in the Premier League since that game.
Whilst he is already an England international, having played against Uruguay last month, Newcastle could provide the young stopper with an opportunity to stake a claim for Jordan Pickford’s number one jersey.
He has not been able to put too much pressure on the Everton star because of his lack of minutes in the Premier League, but that would change with a move to St. James’ Park.
As they did with Hall, Newcastle can offer Trafford the platform to play regularly and show Tuchel that he deserves to be the first-choice in his position for England moving forward, whilst adding an excellent performer to their side in the process.
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Newcastle are set for a series of high-profile changes this summer.
