Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle United have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford.
James Trafford secured a return to Manchester City in the summer in hopes of becoming their new number one. However, things haven’t gone according to plan for him. With him getting very limited game time, the English shot-stopper has been linked with a move away.
However, according to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, City are not keen on negotiating his departure mid-season despite growing interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Newcastle United.
While speaking about his future on Inside Track podcast, the transfer expert said: “Yeah, I think obviously Trafford’s not happy at the minute because he’s playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“I think it’s probably coming down to Trafford’s ambition to be in that England squad for the World Cup, but if he’s not playing, it’s going to be hard to be in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
“That’s probably why speculation over his future has intensified in recent weeks.
“We know Newcastle are long-term admirers, Aston Villa have been mentioned as well with the ongoing uncertainty around Emiliano Martinez’s future, Spurs have also been linked as well.
“But I just don’t see City letting him go in January despite the player being unhappy and wanting to play.
“City won’t to weaken their squad in January and leave themselves short in that goalkeeping department.”
Trafford, who came up the ranks at City, left the club in 2023 to join Burnley in search of a more prominent role. He made quite a name for himself with his impressive performances for the Clarets.
Trafford’s return to Manchester City
With Ederson leaving the club, Pep Guardiola decided to re-sign the 23-year-old. While he returned to the club in hopes of being their new number one, the Manchester-based club ended up signing Gianluigi Donnarumma towards the end of the summer transfer window.
The former PSG goalkeeper has been an undisputed number one for them, and has Trafford has only featured in six games so far. He is frustrated by the lack of game time, and his situation has resulted in a lot of interest from rival clubs.
Premier League clubs are ready to battle for Trafford
Tottenham are looking at him as a potential upgrade in goal. Aston Villa consider him an ideal long-term replacement for Emiliano Martinez, who has been constantly linked with a move away. Meanwhile, Newcastle are also keen on signing him to be their future number one, despite having a buy option for Aaron Ramsdale’s loan move.
While all three clubs are very keen on signing him, and are more than ready to table an offer, they have suffered a blow in their pursuit as City do not want to negotiate his departure in the winter transfer window. Guardiola doesn’t want to weaken his squad mid-season as the 23-year-old remains an important part of his plans.
Despite City’s stance, Newcastle and Villa retain interest in him and are planning to make moves once the transfer window reopens.
