Manchester City have held tentative talks with goalkeeper James Trafford over an Etihad return, talkSPORT understands.
Burnley star Trafford has been heavily linked with Newcastle, with the Magpies entering negotiations earlier this summer.
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Eddie Howe also saw two bids for his top goalkeeper target rejected last year despite agreeing on personal terms.
However, the 22-year-old could now be set to head back to Man City, where he came through the club’s academy.
City sold Trafford to Burnley for £19million plus add-ons in 2023, but two years later, they may bring him back.
The eight-time Premier League champions have a £40m buy-back clause in the England Under-21 international’s contract.
And they are considering triggering it with the 2025/26 season on the horizon.
It would mean Newcastle face missing out on yet another transfer this window following their approach for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike.
A delegation had flown to Germany for talks, but Liverpool then swooped in.
The Reds have now submitted a £70m bid for Ekitike and the player has agreed personal terms over a six-year contract.
On top of that deal, Newcastle have also missed out on Dean Huijsen, Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbuemo over the last couple of months.
They could well be now set to go through a similar situation with Trafford too, as City weigh up a move.
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City could also have some extra bargaining power with Burnley, as the Clarets eye a potential goalkeeping replacement.
talkSPORT understands that Stefan Ortega is an option for Scott Parker if he loses Trafford this summer.
Burnley haven’t yet made a formal approach for Ortega though.
The German has spent the last three seasons at City, where he has featured in 56 matches in all competitions.
He has mainly featured as a back-up for Ederson, stepping in more regularly last campaign due to the Brazilian’s injuries.
Pep Guardiola’s side will only bring in a new goalkeeper should they part ways with either Ederson or Ortega.
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Should Trafford be brought in, it would see him return to the club only two years after leaving on a permanent deal.
He spent eight years at the Etihad in total, playing in the academy for six years and then heading out on loan from 2021 onward.
Trafford had a short spell at Accrington Stanley before being loaned out to Bolton Wanderers for 18 months.
Despite spending so long at City, he failed to make a single first-team appearance before departing.
So, he could finally get to wear the shirt for Guardiola’s men should they trigger the £40m clause in his contract.
As for Newcastle, they may have to move on to another goalkeeper, continuing their unfortunate streak of missing out on their targets.
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