Chelsea and Liverpool blow as Newcastle make £16m offer to 21-year-old rising star in English football

Newcastle have jumped ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race to sign goalkeeper James Trafford according to a report on the Dailymail. Eddie Howe has made his first move in an attempt to poach the former Manchester City shot-stopper with a £16million offer even though Burnley are still holding on for £20million the report adds.

Trafford and six others suffered the bitter disappointment of being cut from England’s Euro 2024 squad this week. However, that frees him to sort out his club future and he is aware of Newcastle’s interest. Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have also tracked the 21-year-old.

Managerless Burnley are expected to lose some key players after being relegated to the Championship and Chelsea have been key admirers of the England under-21 star but will now have to first outbid Newcastle and hold off competition from Liverpool to secure his signature. 

Last summer the Blues signed Robert Sanchez to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the 29-year-old opted to head to Real Madrid where he played as a back goalkeeper even though he ended up in the Spanish La Liga and Champions League.

They then had to sign Dorde Petrovic who ended up being the first choice due to injury to Sanchez and an improved form from the Serbian. New manager Enzo Maresca is known to want a goalkeeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, so Chelsea’s interest in the goalkeeper is serious. 

Chelsea also still have to deal with Kepa’s future with the Spanish shot-stopper keen on a move away with just a year left on his current deal. Liverpool are also looking at the young English star, especially with Caoimhin Kelleher reportedly on his way out.

Chelsea have already confirmed their first signing of the Maresca era with Tosin Adarabioyo arriving from Fulham as a free agent after four years with the Cottagers.