Liverpool transfers: Battle looms with Newcastle over £20m James Trafford

Liverpool are set to do battle with Newcastle over the England Euro 2024 candidate James Trafford this summer. 

That’s according to a new report in Football Insider, which suggests that the goalkeeper’s club Burnley will seek £20 million for him. 

The Clarets have just suffered a Premier League relegation blow - and also lost manager Vincent Kompany to Bayern Munich - and their rebuilding efforts could be made even more difficult should they lose the 21-year-old shot stopper. 

Although Trafford lost his place in Burnley’s team to Kosovo international Arijanet Muric during the season, he still remains a goalkeeper of considerable promise. 

Burnley were minded to pay an initial £15m for Trafford in a surprise transfer from Manchester City last summer - a deal that could eventually reach £19m including add-ons.

The Carlisle-born shot stopper is under contract at Turf Moor until 2027 and previously impressed on loan at Bolton Wanderers during the 2022-23 season.

Liverpool seek Kelleher replacement

Liverpool had to rely on their back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher more than expected last season with Alisson Becker suffering a debilitating hamstring injury back in February. 

In all the 25-year-old played 26 matches for the Merseysiders last term and was between the sticks when Jurgen Klopp’s side won the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea back in February.

However in a recent interview he declared his intentions to leave the club this summer and become a No.1 in his own right. 

As such the club are expected to go into the market for a replacement.

“I’ve had such an amazing time at Liverpool,” he told The Athletic. 

“It’s been a crazy journey for me and one that I’ve absolutely loved. I love the club, I love the fans and I have a great relationship with the players and the staff. 

“Whether it’s here at Liverpool or somewhere else, I do feel the next step for me is to be a No 1.”

Newcastle’s established first choice is Nick Pope and backup Martin Dubravka only has one year left on his current contract. 

The Magpies have also just waved goodbye to former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, whose contract officially expires at the end of June. 

Previously his partner, the DAZN presenter Diletta Leotta, stated that Newcastle was an ‘inconvenient’ club for Karius as she wanted him to be closer to her base in Milan.