Newcastle set to launch deadline day bid for £20m man and loan exit lined up - Report

It may not be the centre-back or right-winger we're all crying out for, but it looks like James Trafford could be one to watch heading into deadline day.

According to Alan Nixon's latest Patreon post, Newcastle are preparing to make a final bid for 21-year-old Burnley goalkeeper, with Belgian side Anderlecht closing in on a loan deal for Odysseas Vlachodimos.

He reports that the Clarets have reduced their demands from £30m to £20m, although it remains to be seen if Newcastle will pursue a permanent deal or a loan bid that includes an obligation to buy next summer. Interestingly, the former Man City talent wasn't in Burnley's squad for their cup defeat at Wolves on Wednesday night.

TalkSPORT revealed earlier this week that we were back in talks with Burnley over Trafford. However, it was always said that one of Martin Dubravka or Vlachodimos would need to go to create space in our inflated goalkeeper department.

While Newcastle have had, what some might call a bit of a disaster of a window, it looks like Howe will at the very least get his wanted backup keeper to compete with Pope, with the England U21 considered a potential long-term replacement.

While Vlachodimos has only just joined the club, it's increasingly clear that he was signed in a 'PSR deal' that helped us sell Elliot Anderson and avoid a points deduction at the end of June.

As for Dubravka, there's no word at this time on his future, with both he and Vlachodimos missing out on our squad at Nottingham Forest last night.