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 the top four.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  LiverpoolLiverpool | 27 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 64 | 26 | 38 | 64 |
| 2 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  ArsenalArsenal | 26 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 51 | 23 | 28 | 53 |
| 3 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 26 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 44 | 33 | 11 | 47 |
| 4 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Man CityManchester City | 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 52 | 37 | 15 | 44 |
| 5 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  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 players to Tyneside this summer.
However – regardless of where Newcastle finish – James Trafford is still expected to leave Burnley for St James’ Park as soon as the transfer window opens.
Newcastle set to sign James Trafford
A story from Sky Sports now states that the Englishman will 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! 🤯🚫
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) January 17, 2025
The #SkyBetChampionship never fails to deliver! 😅#EFL pic.twitter.com/m3P9hp1Fpo
Sacha Tavolieri writes that Burnley are expected to let Trafford go to Newcastle 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 this 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 just 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 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  LeedsLeeds | 33 | 21 | 9 | 3 | 68 | 20 | 48 | 72 |
| 2 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 33 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 47 | 23 | 24 | 70 |
| 3 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  BurnleyBurnley | 34 | 18 | 14 | 2 | 43 | 9 | 34 | 68 |
| 4 | Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.  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 getting a £30m bargain this summer.
Trafford has previously been praised by Cole Palmer – with the Chelsea No.20 even expecting his old teammate to develop into a “world class” goalkeeper one day.
Clik here to view.
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 who believes in himself. He just goes 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.