James Trafford exit mooted in blockbuster Manchester City player-plus-cash deal | OneFootball

Manchester City’s interest in Newcastle defender Valentino Livramento could offer an exit route to out-of-favour goalkeeper James Trafford, as per a new report.

Livramento was heavily linked with a sensational transfer to the Etihad Stadium in the recent transfer window as City sought to sign a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker, who was sold to Burnley in the summer upon his return from an indifferent loan stint at AC Milan.

The 23-year-old has a long-term contract at St. James’ Park and that proved to be a major hurdle in Manchester City’s pursuit, which was also met with a firm stance in Tyneside to keep hold of Livramento into the 2025-26 campaign.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe consides Livramento an integral part of his plans and the financial implications of a possible deal also deterred Manchester City from progressing with negotiations in what was a summer of significant upheaval at the Etihad Stadium.

In the end, City did not sign a like-for-like replacement for Walker and Guardiola was happy with the current options at his disposal, with Matheus Nunes shining at right-back in recent months and cementing his place as Guardiola’s preferred starter in the position.

The summer of 2025 was unlike any witnessed in the blue half of Manchester City since Pep Guardiola’s early seasons in charge at the Etihad Stadium, with newly-appointed sporting director Hugo Viana conducting a sweeping overhaul of the first-team squad.

Viana received huge plaudits in particular for Manchester City’s shrewd, cut-price signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of the summer transfer window – a deal that had huge implications for James Trafford, who returned to City in July after two seasons of regular football at Burnley.

Since his arrival from Paris, Donnarumma has established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet for Guardiola and there remain question marks over what the Italian’s deadline day signing could have in store for Trafford in the longer run.

Team Talk are reporting that Manchester City retain an interest in Livramento, who is in pole position to earn a call up to the England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after emerging as one of the best and most versatile full-backs in the Premier League in recent seasons.

The report has stated that City could look to include Trafford, who has largely warmed the bench since Donnarumma’s arrival to Manchester, in a package player-plus-cash deal for Livramento, who could be available for a cheaper price in 2026 than Newcastle quoted this summer.

Trafford is expected to keep fighting for minutes as the 2025-26 season progresses but the manner in which Donnarumma has seamlessly integrated into Guardiola’s ranks leaves little room for the young Englishman to win his place back in the Manchester City starting XI.

City are not expected to be very active in the January transfer window but should he keep struggling for minutes, Trafford could knock on Viana’s door and request a short loan away from the Etihad Stadium to bolster his chances for the World Cup and force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s thinking.