Tottenham Hotspur will reportedly look to sign 23-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City next year.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, James Trafford is the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a goalkeeper next year amid Guglielmo Vicario’s links with Inter Milan. So, the 23-year-old Manchester City shot-stopper has emerged as a target for the North London outfit.
Recent reports have suggested that the Englishman is keen on leaving Manchester City in the winter transfer window as he attempts to win a spot in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, Tottenham will face stiff competition from Newcastle United for Trafford’s signature.
What has led to James Trafford’s frustrations?
James Trafford rejoined Manchester City from Burnley in a deal worth £27 million this past summer after establishing himself as one of the world’s best young goalkeepers in an excellent 2024/25 season. The 23-year-old played a leading role in an exemplary campaign for Burnley. That compelled Manchester City to re-sign the youngster this past summer.
However, Trafford has fallen in the pecking order after Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day of the summer transfer window. The English goalkeeper has managed only 540 minutes of game time in six appearances thus far for Manchester City. So, a winter exit may be on the cards for him, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur vying for his signature.
Move across the Premier League on the cards?
Newcastle United’s interest in James Trafford is understandable. The Magpies were eager to sign him in the summer transfer window before he rejoined Manchester City. However, with Nick Pope on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of his career, Newcastle United must sign a new shot-stopper, with Trafford being a viable target.
As for Tottenham Hotspur, Guglielmo Vicario faces an uncertain future at the North London club amid Inter Milan’s emerging links with him. The Italian international, who joined Tottenham two years ago for £17 million, may leave next year, with the Lilywhites aiming to recoup around £30 million from his sale. So, they have set their sights on Trafford as a long-term replacement.
With the 23-year-old Englishman ready to leave Manchester City in the coming weeks, a move across the Premier League may be on the cards. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Trafford.
