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£30m player Cole Palmer called ‘so good’ will join Newcastle when the transfer window opens

Billy Meyers

Mon 24 February 2025 16:00, UK

Newcastle are in a fantastic position to return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

The Magpies currently sit fifth in the Premier League after a 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with only goal difference keeping Newcastle out of th🐓e♌ top four.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	27	19	7	1	64	26	38	64
2	ArsenalArsenal	26	15	8	3	51	23	28	53
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	26	14	5	7	44	33	11	47
4	Man CityManchester City	26	13	5	8	52	37	15	44
5	NewcastleNewcastle	26	13	5	8	46	36	10	44

Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League would open many doors to Eddie Howe in terms of bringing quality p𒆙layers to Tyneside this summer.

However – regardless of where Newcastle finish – James Trafford is still expected to leave 🎃Burnl💧ey for St James’ Park as soon as the transfer window opens.

Newcastle set to sign James Trafford

A story from now states that the Englishman ඣwill 🌠join Newcastle in the early days of the summer transfer window – the first week, to be exact.

Remarkable scenes as James Trafford saves TWO late penalties! 🤯🚫

The never fails to deliver! 😅

— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp)

Sacha Tavolieri writes that Burnley are expected to let Trafford go to New🐽castle for £30m – with Howe making him a priority in between the sticks and the No.1 choice to replace Nick Pope.

The Newcastle No.22 turns 33 in April – and will only have 12 months remaining on his contract t🥃his summer.

Trafford – who Tottenham also like – has enjoyed a special 2024/25 campaign so far with the Clarets, remarkably keeping 24 clean sheets and conceding jus🐽t nine goals 🗹in 33 Championship appearances this season, helping Burnley sit third.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	33	21	9	3	68	20	48	72
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	33	22	6	5	47	23	24	70
3	BurnleyBurnley	34	18	14	2	43	9	34	68
4	SunderlandSunderland	34	17	11	6	50	31	19	62

The 22-year-old has even set a new Championship record for 🅘most minutes without conceding.

What Cole Palmer has said about James Trafford

When you consider Liverpool spent £66m on Alisson Becker and Chelsea parted with £71m for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Newcastle could be g❀etting a £30m bargain this summer.

Trafford has p𝓰reviously been pra💧ised by Cole Palmer – with the Chelsea No.20 eveꦉn expecting his old teammate to develop into a “world class” goalkeeper one day.

The England international said: “Wow. He’s so good. You could see it in the academy.🐭 Even in training, he’s so hard to score past. I’m just glad everyone else is seeing it.

“He knows himself how good he is but he’s not arrogant. He’s a nice lad. He’s a normal lad wဣho believes in himself. He just go꧙es about his business on his own. I always say to him – even when we were little – that he is going to be world class.”

Now, Palmer could ⭕soon be competing against Trafford on a yearly basis if Newcastle 🥀do end up completing this £30m deal – as expected.