Newcastle United are reportedly leading the race to sign Tottenham goalkeeping target James Trafford from Manchester City.
James Trafford’s return to Manchester City has not gone according to plan, as he has been forced to play backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma. The English international is expected to be on the move this summer, amidst interest from clubs like Newcastle United and Tottenham.
According to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, the Magpies have leapfrogged the North London club in their pursuit of the former Burnley goalkeeper. Eddie Howe is keen on adding more quality in goal and considers Trafford an ideal fit for the short and long run.
James Trafford came up the ranks at Manchester City. While he got promoted to their first team in the summer of 2023, he was unlikely to get much game time with Ederson ahead of him in the pecking order. As a result, the club ended up selling him to Burnley.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper did wonders for the Clarets over the next two seasons. He was involved in 73 games and ended up keeping a clean sheet in 31 of those fixtures. His exceptional performances convinced City to re-sign him last summer.
Will Trafford leave Manchester City?
With Ederson leaving, the English shot-stopper returned to the club in a deal worth £27 million, hoping to be their new number one. However, Manchester City ended up signing Donnarumma late in the window. The Italian international has been the preferred choice in goal, and it has frustrated Trafford, who is now ready to secure an exit in the summer.
Tottenham and Newcastle United are two of the biggest contenders for his signature. Spurs are not certain about Guglielmo Vicario being their number one and would love to have Trafford in their squad. However, they will have to survive the drop first to stand a chance of signing him.
While speaking about Trafford’s future, Pete O’Rourke said, “I think obviously we know Newcastle are long-term admirers of James Trafford. They came very, very close to signing him last summer. It looked like he was going to make that move only for Man City to steal in and lure him back to the Etihad Stadium
“Obviously Trafford is not too happy that he’s been displaced as number one at City, with Gianluigi Donnarumma coming in. Trafford will want to be playing regularly. He’s admitted that he has been shocked by what has happened to him.
“I’m sure Newcastle have continued to keep tabs on Trafford…they’ll be looking at him as a potential new signing. If Trafford wants to leave City in the summer in search of regular first-team football, there’ll be a number of Premier League clubs who’ll be interested in the England goalkeeper.”
For now, the English goalkeeper looks increasingly likely to join Newcastle United, who are in the market for a new goalkeeper. Nick Pope has been on the decline, while Aaron Ramsdale could return to his parent club, Southampton. As a result, signing a new goalkeeper is a top priority for Eddie Howe.
Trafford was on the verge of joining the Magpies last summer before Manchester City entered the race. Despite the snub, Howe remains a huge admirer of the 23-year-old and would pounce on the opportunity to sign him. They are certainly in the driving seat at this point.