Paul Mitchell’s ‘secret trip’ as Newcastle consider new bid for £20m man - Report
According to The Mail, Paul Mitchell was at the Stadium of Light for a ‘secret trip’ to watch Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford on Saturday as Newcastle consider a fresh bid.
Reports this morning suggested that the club are back in talks and keen to sign the 21-year-old on a loan-to-buy deal after having a £16m bid rejected in June, with the Clarets demanding around £20m.
The Mail's Craig Hope reports that Mitchell was in the stands to take another look at Trafford, who started as Burnley lost 1-0 to Sunderland over the weekend.
He reports that Newcastle 'always intended to revisit a deal' for the England U21 international, with the player himself believing a move to St James' Park could go through before Friday's deadline.
Personal terms are not thought to be an issue, but we'll have to strike a deal with Burnley and must move on at least one of Martin Dubravka and/or Odysseas Vlachodimos; the Greek stopper who was only brought in from Nottingham Forest in a PSR deal involving Elliot Anderson that stopped us from facing a 10-point deduction.
Trafford could be a smart signing in isolation, but, with five goalkeepers already on our books, let's hope any move for the young shot-stopper doesn't limit the funds required to sign a centre-back and right-winger!
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