James Trafford set to leave Manchester City this summer, reveals club insider | OneFootball

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is set to leave the club this summer as things stand, as per a new report.

The 23-year-old’s future at the Etihad Stadium has been the subject of sustained speculation throughout the current campaign, with Trafford openly admitting 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.

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

Donnarumma’s arrival changed the landscape immediately, with Trafford restricted largely to cup action – including a standout performance 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 England international to remain at the club, a second parting of ways between City and their academy graduate is inevitable this summer.

Report: Trafford set to depart City this summer

As reported by Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, Trafford is set to leave Manchester City when the summer transfer window opens as things stand, with the club accepting that the goalkeeper’s desire for regular first-team football cannot be accommodated at the Etihad Stadium while Donnarumma remains the undisputed number one.

The update is consistent with the broader picture that has emerged in recent months, with all signs having pointed to a cordial parting of ways between player and club since Trafford publicly aired his frustrations over a lack of minutes following City’s FA Cup win over Salford City in January.

Manchester City are unlikely to stand in Trafford’s way and will look to command a fee that reflects his standing as arguably the best backup goalkeeper in the Premier League.

The Carlisle-born shotstopper saved a penalty from Mohamed Salah in City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool last weekend – a reminder of exactly what he is capable of and a performance that will only increase his value in the market this summer.

Where will Trafford end up?

Newcastle United remain the frontrunners to sign Trafford, with manager Eddie Howe a long-standing admirer of the goalkeeper who came close to signing him before he opted to return to City last summer.

Aston Villa and Tottenham have also been identified as interested parties, with the latter eyeing Trafford as a potential replacement for Guglielmo Vicario should the Italian depart the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

Earlier reports had suggested Trafford personally preferred a move to Villa Park over a switch to St. James’ Park, though the situation remains fluid with several clubs now in active pursuit of the England international’s signature.

Trafford’s departure will leave director of football Hugo Viana with a significant vacancy in the goalkeeping department behind Donnarumma, with City requiring a reliable backup as part of a summer window already shaping up to be one of the most consequential in recent memory at the Etihad Stadium.

For Trafford himself, a move away represents the best opportunity of his career to cement himself as a starting goalkeeper at a major Premier League club and stake a definitive claim in Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad for future major tournaments.