Chelsea will reportedly look to sign 21-year-old Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford in a deal worth £20 million this summer.
According to a report by The Sun, James Trafford is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are scouring the market for a goalkeeper heading into the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old Burnley goalkeeper is also a target for Newcastle United. However, the Blues want to beat the competition to his signature by launching a move worth £20 million.
Who is James Trafford?
James Trafford is widely regarded as one of the best young goalkeeping prospects in the country. A native of Greysouthen, he began his youth career at Cockermouth FC and spent some time at Carlisle United before joining Manchester City in 2015. The Englishman rose through the ranks at the Premier League club but could not establish a foothold in the first-team squad.
The 21-year-old embarked on multiple loan spells away from Manchester City before joining Burnley last summer. However, Trafford endured a frustrating debut season at Turf Moor, keeping only two clean sheets while conceding 62 goals in 28 Premier League appearances.
Meanwhile, the English goalkeeper has dropped to the EFL Championship with Burnley after suffering relegation from the Premier League. However, a swift return to the top flight might be on the cards, with Chelsea and Newcastle United vying for his signature.
Immediate return to the Premier League on the cards?
Chelsea’s interest in James Trafford is understandable. The Blues are scouring the market for a goalkeeper heading into the summer transfer window due to dissatisfaction over Robert Sanchez’s performances. Several candidates, including Jordan Pickford, have thus emerged on Chelsea’s radar. However, Trafford is also a viable target, with the Blues plotting a move worth £20 million to sign him.
The report claims that Chelsea might be in the pole position to secure James Trafford’s services amid the update of a potential bid worth £20 million. That comes as a blow for Newcastle United, with the Tyneside outfit also interested in the 21-year-old Burnley goalkeeper.
However, Newcastle United might have fallen behind in the race to sign the Englishman as the Blues look to land him in a deal worth £20 million. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can beat the competition to his signature in the summer transfer window.
