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Chelsea transfers: Blues 'planning £20m bid for relegated Premier League keeper'

By Carter White | 26 May 2024

Chelsea 'planning £20m bid for relegated Premier League keeper'

Chelsea are reportedly preparing a £20m bid for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, who is set for a move away from Turf Moor following the Clarets' relegation.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Burnley's James Trafford during the summer transfer window.

The 21-year-old made the switch from Manchester City to Turf Moor last summer for a fee of £15m after impressing massively on the international stage.

Trafford helped England Under-21s to a European Championship title under the stewardship of Lee Carsley, with the Young Lions failing to concede a goal throughout the tournament.

That major success internationally came after a productive loan spell at League One side Bolton Wanderers for Trafford, earning himself a move to top-flight Burnley last summer.

The former Citizen has made 28 Premier League appearances for the Clarets this season, keeping just two clean sheets as Vincent Kompany's side were convincingly relegated.

Brentford's Neal Maupay in action with Burnley's James Trafford on October 21, 2023 © Reuters

Chelsea planning move for Burnley's Trafford?

According to The Sun, Burnley's Trafford could be spared the trouble of having to ply his trade in the Championship next season following the Clarets' relegation.

The report claims that Premier League giants Chelsea are keen on a move for the 21-year-old, who is being tipped to develop into a first-choice goalkeeper at a top club.

It is understood that the Blues are willing to offer £20m for Trafford, who conceded an eye-watering total of 62 goals in 28 top-flight matches this season.

Despite this, the West Londoners hold the England youth international in high regard, believing that he could become the Three Lions' first choice in the future.

Due to the injury of Robert Sanchez this season, Serbia's Djordje Petrovic assumed a spot in between the sticks at Stamford Bridge in recent times, however it is believed that Chelsea are now seeking a long-term solution in that position.

Burnley's James Trafford and teammates look dejected after conceding their second goal on November 25, 2023 © Reuters

Trafford's Burnley struggles

Despite an excellent campaign at Bolton in 2022-23 - followed by a flawless tournament for England Under-21s last summer - the step up to the Premier League was always going to be a tricky one for Trafford.

Having splashed out on his services from Man City, the 21-year-old was instantly established as Kompany's first choice at Turf Moor, protecting the goal of a side which refused to deviate from the style that earned them promotion from the Championship.

With the increased quality of opposition in England's top flight, Trafford was often left exposed by a naive Burnley defence, meaning that his poor statistics this term cannot be fully attributed to his own shortcomings.

That being said, the Englishman lost his place in goal for Kompany's troops for the final 10 games of the league campaign, being uprooted by Kosovo international Arijanet Muric.