James Trafford’s next club preference revealed as Manchester City star mulls over future | OneFootball

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is attracting strong interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa ahead of the summer transfer window, as per a new report.

The 23-year-old has raised great uncertainty over his future with an outspoken interview after last week’s FA Cup win over Salford City that has divided opinion amongst Manchester City fans.

Trafford outlined his frustration over minutes since his return to the Etihad Stadium for £27 million from Burnley last summer, having not played in the Premier League since Gianluigi Donnarumma came through the door.

Pep Guardiola wanted to keep hold of Trafford beyond January as Manchester City contest for silverware on four fronts in the second half of the season, with the Englishman understood to have explored a possible mid-season exit.

Media briefings since have underpinned how Trafford was promised a route to becoming City’s number one goalkeeper when he signed a contract in July 2025, when Ederson was still at the club and exploring exit options himself.

Ederson left it late to seal a much-awaited transfer to Fenerbahce in Turkey, with it being deadline day when the Brazilian departed Manchester City – also when Donnarumma put pen to paper to start a new chapter at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite starting each of Manchester City’s first three Premier League games of the season, Trafford’s minutes since have been restricted largely to Carabao Cup and FA Cup games.

In conversation with BBC Sport after last weekend’s 2-0 FA Cup fourth round win over Salford City, Trafford raised doubts over his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium ahead of the summer transfer window.

Aston Villa and Newcastle United have since been heavily linked with a swoop for the Manchester City academy graduate, who is set to seek a resolution on his future come the end of the season.

Football Insider are reporting that Trafford prefers a move to Aston Villa over Newcastle United as he looks to revitalise and progress his club career to go on and stake a claim for the England National Team.

The Manchester City second-choice shotstopper is unlikely to be in the frame for a spot on the plane to the United States, Canada and Mexico for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, having warmed the bench largely since Donnarumma joined Manchester City.

However, City will allow Trafford to leave for what they deem is a fair market value price in the summer and there will not be a dearth of suitors interested in signing the 23-year-old.