Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford has hinted he could leave the club this summer after admitting he believes he will be playing in the Premier League next season.
The 22-year-old has risen to prominence this season after a string of top-drawer performances at Turf Moor. He has been a mainstay in a side which has conceded just 11 times in 39 Championship fixtures, featuring in all-but-one of the Clarets’ games thus far.
This has seen Burnley keep the pace with the top two, where Sheffield United and Leeds United have been seemingly battling it out for the title all season. However, the Lancashire-based side are currently level on points with the latter whilst only two behind the Blades.
Trafford’s form between the sticks saw him included in Thomas Tuchel’s maiden England squad last month, where he was an unused substitute in the wins over Albania and Latvia.
Trafford Keen To Play Premier League Football
The shot stopper has been linked with a big money transfer this summer. He joined Burnley for a fee of £15 million from Manchester City in 2023, penning a four-year deal. Despite that, Newcastle United and Manchester United are both thought to be considering an approach at the end of the season.
It appears as though Trafford would be willing to listen to offers if Burnley fail to earn promotion to the Premier League, telling the BBC:
“I believe I’ll be in the Premier League next season.
“It’s where I want to play, it’s obviously the best league in the world. I wanted to get there as quickly as I could and it took two years on loan to develop.
“I’ve really enjoyed this season in the Championship, but next season I believe I’ll be playing in the Prem.”
Writer’s View
Trafford’s comments could be taken one of two ways. It may be that he thoroughly believes that Burnley will be promoted this season and he will be playing in the Premier League with his current club. Alternatively, it could be that he expects to move on, especially if the Clarets do stay in the second tier. Newcastle are thought to be keen to make the former Bolton Wanderers loanee their new number one. Ironically, the Magpies’ current first choice Nick Pope was purchased from Burnley in 2022, but he has been tipped to leave St James’ Park this summer.
