Premier League rivals make £16 million move for Chelsea target - Reports

Chelsea face competition from Newcastle United for James Trafford as the Magpies have reportedly submitted a bid for the Burnley goalkeeper. Liverpool and Bayern Munich also monitor the English shot-stopper who was cut from Gareth Southgate's provisional Euro 2024 squad.

The Daily Mail reports that Newcastle have offered £16 million for Trafford, 21, but the Clarets want £20 million. He has three years left on his contract, and he arrived at Turf Moor from Manchester City in July 2023.

The Magpies negotiations with Burnley are ongoing as they look to sign the 17-cap England U21 international. He is viewed as a future superstar in English football, managing two clean sheets in 28 games across competitions.

Chelsea have monitored Trafford amid questions over their goalkeeping situation. Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic are currently options for new manager Enzo Maresca. Kepa Arrizabalaga faces an uncertain future as he returns from a loan spell at Real Madrid.

Eddie Howe is a big fan of the former Bolton Wanderers loanee as he is looking for a long-term replacement for Nick Pope at St James' Park. The Tyneside giants initially targeted Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale but were put off by his price tag.

Liverpool are also interested in Trafford as they potentially plot their move for Alisson Becker's long-term replacement. Bayern are also in the mix, and he could be reunited with former manager Vincent Kompany, who left Burnley for the Bundesliga giants.

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Enzo Maresca reportedly decides Chelsea's No.1 battle between Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez

Enzo Maresca will decide which of Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic is his No.1.

Maresca has succeeded Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, and one of the Italian's biggest calls is his starting goalkeeper. Petrovic displaced Sanchez as the Blues' No.1 midway through last season.

GIVEMESPORT reports that Chelsea don't want to sell Petrovic, 24, but he risks losing his No.1 spot. The Serbian goalkeeper appeared 31 times across competitions, keeping seven clean sheets.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Maresca is an admirer of Sanchez and looks forward to working with him. The Spanish shot-stopper kept five clean sheets in 21 games across competitions, but a knee injury disrupted his debut campaign.

Maresca's decision could impact a move to Trafford. It's unlikely that three goalkeepers capable of being No.1 will be happy being second and third choice.

Petrovic and Sanchez arrived at Chelsea last summer as Pochettino replaced Edouard Mendy and Kepa. The west Londoners dealt with defensive issues during the season, conceding 63 goals in 38 league games.