James Trafford saga takes dreaded twist - Newcastle wait explained and rivals step in

When Anthony Elanga sealed a £55m move to St James' Park last week, we hoped our summer transfer window would spark into life.

Since then, it's certainly been a week full of effort, with the club making a big move for Hugo Ekitike that ultimately failed - and this has been a theme of June and July, sadly.

As Eddie Howe said in yesterday's interview from Austria, we've put in a 'lot of work' for 'very little' incomings, and this may also be true regarding top goalkeeper target James Trafford.

In an exclusive on X on Friday afternoon, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Man City have now entered the race to sign James Trafford.

He reports that Man City are now considering a move for the 22-year-old, with Pep Guardiola's side having a buy-back clause that allows them to re-sign the Burnley stopper at a set fee without any negotiations.

Romano does state that City will only activate that deal if both of their first choice goalkeepers (Ederson and Orteta) leave, but states that their lingering interest and contact over a possible move is the reason Trafford's proposed move to Newcastle has not been sealed yet.

While it's not reported, there is a chance Man City's clause includes a first refusal on the player, which would stop Newcastle's striking a deal until it expires, but it's a major concern that another of Eddie Howe's top targets is now at risk of ending up elsewhere.

We need to get moving and quickly. The season kicks off in four weeks time and we're still a goalkeeper, centre-back, midfielder and striker short of being able to compete on four fronts.