Soccer Football - Serie A - Udinese v AC Milan - Bluenergy Stadium, Udine, Italy - April 11, 2025 AC Milan's Fikayo Tomori celebrates after the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo
Newcastle United are reportedly on the verge of making their first signing of the summer, with Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford expected to join the club after being a long-term target.
Sky Sports News revealed this morning that the Magpies are in talks to complete a £30m deal for the shot-stopper, who is intended to compete with Nick Pope for the number one spot next season.
The acquisition of Trafford would be a testament to the club’s recruitment strategy of targeting long-term prospects who can offer years of service instead of recklessly making moves for short-term solutions in their squad ahead of their Champions League campaign.
It has been widely reported that the signing of a right winger and centre-back remains a high priority for the Geordies, with numerous Premier League stars being linked with a move to Tyneside, including João Pedro and Marc Guehi.
However, it is now being reported that the club could reignite their interest in a target from abroad that they missed out on last summer, as Fikayo Tomori seeks a route back to the Premier League.
According to The Chronicle, Tomori is one of the players who has been offered to Newcastle this summer, and he is open to leaving AC Milan.
It is also further claimed that the Serie A giants could reduce their original £42m asking price to get a deal done for the defender, despite the fact he is content at the San Siro, though a Premier League move would be attractive.
Should Newcastle sign Fikayo Tomori?
There is no doubt that Tomori has shown glimmers of talent in both Italy and on the international stage for England, so as a Guehi alternative at the right price he could be a major coup.
The 27-year-old – once hailed “extraordinary” by AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis – has a wealth of experience that he can bring to Tyneside including 32 appearances in the Champions League.
Not only would his European experience be invaluable to Newcastle, but he is capable of covering both the right side of the centre-back partnership and the right fullback role – a worthy successor for both Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier adding further quality depth and versatility in the squad.
The only downside to a move is his age, as Tomori is older than the other desirable targets that Newcastle are currently keeping their eye on, but he certainly fits the profile of the type of player that Eddie Howe could get the very best out of.
With that being said, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle will make a move for Tomori and would likely depend on their chances of snapping up the services of Guehi in the meantime.
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