“He’s not stupid" - Burnley: James Trafford claim as Tottenham, January transfer links revealed | OneFootball

FLW's Burnley fan pundit has given his verdict on James Trafford's future ahead of the January transfer window

James Trafford’s future at Burnley could be called into question again when the January transfer window opens.

The winter market will bring fresh uncertainty over the situation surrounding the goalkeeper after he almost departed the Clarets last summer.

It was reported that Newcastle United were interested in signing the youngster, but a deal failed to materialise.

The Guardian claimed that the Magpies made a renewed effort to sign Trafford in the late stages of the summer after having a £15 million offer rejected in June.

However, Burnley were not tempted into a sale, and the shot-stopper has remained a key part of Scott Parker’s side since.

Tottenham are the latest Premier League club to be linked with a move for Trafford – with talkSPORT reporting that Spurs are considering him as an emergency replacement for Guglielmo Vicario after his recent injury.

James Trafford’s Burnley future

When asked about Trafford’s future with the club, FLW’s Burnley fan pundit Josh Lucas claimed that a sale in January should be seen as unlikely.

He praised the goalkeeper’s performances this season and suggested remaining at Turf Moor is the best move for his development at this stage of his career.

“James Trafford went away for most of the summer, and then was supposed to go to Newcastle on the final day for £20-odd million, which didn’t materialise,” Lucas told Football League World.

“But I think it’s quite evident that he is number one here."

On Newastle's interest, he added: “He knows he’s not going to get that number one spot over Pope really.

“He’ll know that Pope is one of the best keepers in the league, so I think he’d rather stick out the season in the Championship.

“He’s got close to the most clean sheets, I know we’ve only conceded six goals this season, so I think he’ll know that for his own development, why would he go to Newcastle to sit on the bench for 18 months?

“Wouldn’t you just rather keep your development going in the Championship, pushing for promotion? And then in two or three years, then he possibly goes.

“I can’t see him going in January with the start he’s had.”

On the Tottenham links, he said: "If it is true that Trafford is a target for Spurs, then I feel like he'll know that he's not there just yet after what happened last season in the Premier League.

"He had a poor season, conceded a lot of goals, struggled with his feet, I feel like he knew he wasn't at that level and you could tell he was still very raw.

"A half-season in the Championship will have helped him, but I still feel like Tottenham is too much of a step up. I also feel like he won't go to sit on the bench because Vicario will be back in a few months, he'll want first-team football.

"He'll know himself he's not good enough."

James Trafford’s importance to Burnley

Trafford signed for Burnley following their promotion to the Premier League in the summer of 2023.

He arrived from Manchester City in a deal worth a reported £19 million, according to the BBC.

The 22-year-old made 28 appearances in the top flight for Vincent Kompany’s team, but a 19th place finish in the table meant relegation was suffered.

Trafford has so far started every game in the Championship this year except one, conceding just six goals from 15 appearances.

Burnley should be keen to keep Trafford in January

Trafford has performed well for Burnley and has been a key part of their impressive defensive record in the league.

Given the fee paid to sign him, it should take a lot to convince them to cash in midway through this campaign.

If they can gain promotion again immediately this year, then Trafford will get his chance to play in the Premier League again, and his value will only improve with that.

It is in Burnley’s best interest to be patient with this one for the time being, and reevaluate his future in the summer once their league status is confirmed, unless someone comes in with an offer they simply cannot refuse, like £30 million.