Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford may be open to joining Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window even if they suffer relegation from the Premier League.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford is the subject of interest from Tottenham Hotspur. The Lilywhites are eager to bolster their first-team squad by signing a goalkeeper ahead of the 2026/27 season amid Guglielmo Vicario’s links with Inter Milan.
The latest report has boosted Tottenham’s prospects, as “there is a belief that Trafford would be open to the move even if Spurs are relegated to the Championship” at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Trafford’s “desire to be the undisputed first choice” will be the driving force behind his decision.
What has led to James Trafford’s frustrations?
James Trafford rejoined Manchester City from Burnley in a deal worth £27 million last summer after establishing himself as one of the world’s best young goalkeepers in an excellent 2024/25 campaign with Burnley. The 23-year-old played a leading role in an exemplary campaign for the Clarets, keeping the most clean sheets in that season. That compelled Manchester City to re-sign the youngster.
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 1,260 minutes of game time in 14 appearances thus far for Manchester City. So, a summer exit may be on the cards for him, with Tottenham Hotspur among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
Move across the Premier League on the cards?
Tottenham Hotspur wanted to sign James Trafford in the winter transfer window, but a deal did not materialise. The continued interest is understandable, as Guglielmo Vicario faces an uncertain future at the North London club amid widespread reports linking him with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Italian shot-stopper is a target for Inter Milan, with the Nerazzurri working on the deal to sign him in the coming months. So, Tottenham must plan for life after Vicario, as Antonin Kinsky has failed to make his mark during his spell at the North London club.
Trafford is thus a viable target for Tottenham, and the 23-year-old Englishman’s openness to joining the Lilywhites is a significant boost for their prospects. However, with several other Premier League clubs also vying for the Manchester City stopper’s signature, Tottenham must move decisively to seal a summer deal for the English goalkeeper.