Tottenham enter race for Manchester City’s James Trafford amid relegation battle | OneFootball

Tottenham have entered the race for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as Guglielmo Vicario faces an uncertain future in north London, as per reports.

Trafford’s future at the Etihad Stadium has been the subject of speculation throughout this season, with the goalkeeper admitting to uncertainty over his long-term prospects at the club after losing his starting place to Gianluigi Donnarumma following the Italian’s deadline day arrival from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The Carlisle-born shotstopper returned to Manchester City for £27 million from Burnley in July 2025, having initially been led to believe he would be competing for the number one jersey.

However, Donnarumma’s arrival changed the landscape immediately, with Trafford restricted largely to cup action – starring in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley last month – since the opening three Premier League games of the season.

Despite Pep Guardiola repeatedly hailing Trafford as an “unbelievable keeper” with an “incredible future” and publicly pleading for the Englishman to remain at the club long-term, an amicable parting of ways this summer is widely expected.

Report: Spurs eye Trafford as Vicario replacement

According to Sun Sport’s Tom Barclay, Tottenham are monitoring Trafford as a possible successor to Guglielmo Vicario should the Italian depart the club this summer. The north London outfit are understood to be assessing their options in the goalkeeping market and have identified the Manchester City shot-stopper as a viable candidate.

Newcastle United remain the frontrunners to sign Trafford, however, with manager Eddie Howe understood to be a long-standing admirer of the England international. The Magpies came close to signing Trafford before he opted to return to City last summer and are expected to rekindle their interest at the end of the season.

Aston Villa are also in the picture, having been among the clubs monitoring Trafford’s situation since his public comments in January. Earlier reports suggested Trafford personally preferred a move to Villa Park over St. James’ Park, though the situation remains fluid with several clubs now in contention.

Manchester City are unlikely to stand in Trafford’s way should he push for an exit and will look to command a fee that reflects his status as arguably the best backup goalkeeper in the Premier League. The arrival of Tottenham into the equation only strengthens the hand of both player and club as the summer window approaches.

What would Trafford’s exit mean for Manchester City?

Should Trafford depart this summer, City will be left with Donnarumma as their undisputed number one and a significant vacancy in the goalkeeping department behind the Italian.

Director of football Hugo Viana will need to address that shortfall as part of a summer window that is already shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory at the Etihad Stadium, with a wide range of first-team departures expected across the pitch.

From Trafford’s perspective, a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer would represent the best opportunity of his career to cement himself as a starting goalkeeper at a major Premier League club and stake a definitive claim for a place in Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad ahead of future international tournaments.

Having saved a penalty from Mohamed Salah in City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final demolition of Liverpool last weekend, Trafford signed off on what could be one of his final appearances in a City shirt with a reminder of exactly what he is capable of.

All signs point to a summer resolution and with Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa all now in the mix, the 23-year-old will have no dearth of options when the window opens.