James Trafford attracts transfer interest from English giants ahead of January window | OneFootball

Manchester City’s back-up choice goalkeeper James Trafford is attracting transfer interest ahead of the January market re-opening, according to new claims.

Trafford only arrived at City in the most-recent summer transfer window, but his future is already the subject of speculation following a turbulent start to life at the Etihad Stadium.

The England international was handed the gloves for City’s opening three Premier League fixtures against Wolves, Tottenham, and Brighton, but the club’s dramatic deadline day signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain saw him displaced almost immediately.

The switch came as part of a major shake-up in City’s goalkeeping department, following Ederson’s exit to Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Trafford’s brief starting run demonstrated his potential to Guardiola and his staff, yet his opportunities have since been limited.

Upon signing for the club in a £26 million agreement, Gianluigi Donnarumma was handed the starting role in high-profile clashes against Manchester United, Napoli, and Arsenal across the course of last week.

However, at just 22 years-old and a senior international, Trafford remains a goalkeeper of significant promise, with his distribution, composure under pressure, and command of his penalty area being qualities aligned with the demands of modern football.

But from the perspective of Manchester City, club officials and coaching staff now face the challenge of managing James Trafford’s development while also maintaining stability in their squad.

According to a new report from TEAMtalk, Trafford is facing an uncertain future at Manchester City and a loan exit from the club in the upcoming January transfer window is now a ‘realistic possibility’.

The report claims that ‘several’ clubs from both the Premier League and Championship are monitoring his situation at Manchester City, with both Southampton and Leicester City touted as potential destinations.

As for the feeling from Trafford’s camp, they are said to remain optimistic, emphasising his youth and long-term prospects, with his commanding presence and distribution aligning perfectly with modern goalkeeping – making him a strong contender for England’s future.

If Manchester City were to sanction a somewhat surprising loan move for the goalkeeper, it would perhaps represent the next step in James Trafford’s progression while ensuring he gains the regular minutes required at the very top level.

Pep Guardiola’s squad, meanwhile, would remain settled, with Gianluigi Donnarumma firmly established as the new No.1 and Stefan Ortega continuing as an experienced deputy alongside third-choice Marcus Bettinelli.

Speculation now centres on whether Manchester City will allow Trafford to leave purely on a developmental loan or whether one of his suitors might push for an option to buy. Given the club’s investment in his arrival only months ago, the former appears the more likely.