Alan Shearer has explained why Newcastle United may have another chance to sign James Trafford after missing out to Manchester City last summer
Alan Shearer has given his verdict on James Trafford’s future
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has explained why he believes his former club could have a chance at signing James Trafford once again. The Magpies were linked with signing Trafford last summer when the goalkeeper was at Burnley.
Trafford eventually left the Clarets but instead opted to move to Manchester City, who activated a buy-back clause in the goalkeeper’s contract to bring him to the Etihad Stadium in a deal worth £27million.
The City goalkeeper was the star at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Trafford helped City beat Arsenal to win the Carabao Cup final.
Trafford made several important saves to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win against the Gunners, but there continues to be speculation about the shot-stopper’s future.
City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, which has seen Trafford be the second-choice goalkeeper this season, and Shearer has explained why a move to Newcastle may be back on the table when the summer transfer window opens.
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“He’s coming to Newcastle, lads,” Shearer said on the Rest is Football podcast.
When asked if Trafford could leave City this summer, Shearer added: “It wouldn’t surprise me. It was almost done and dusted last summer and then, for whatever reason, City came back in with a buy-back clause.
“I guess he thought that he was going there as a No.1 [goalkeeper], and clearly other things took over with Donnarumma [moving to City].
“I would like to think that Newcastle would be back in for him. He will definitely have options, but if he was that close to Newcastle last summer, I would see no reason for him to not be that close again.”
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Trafford opened up on his return to the City team after playing a key role in their Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, as well as the struggles he has faced not being a regular starter this term.
“Yeah, it means a lot to have his [Pep Guardiola’s] faith, and it’s a testament to how I believed in myself, and how I acted in training, when I’ve been brought in for club games,” Trafford told Sky Sports.
“Every time that I play I just give it my best shot.
“No illusions, it hasn’t been easy at all. It’s been really tough at times, but I have a really good set of people around me.
“My teammates and my coaches have been brilliant. They have kept me going and given me individual goals. It’s down to them.”
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