James Trafford is leaning toward a move to Aston Villa rather than Newcastle United if he leaves Manchester City this summer, according to Football Insider.
“James Trafford is prioritising a move to Aston Villa over Newcastle United this summer, sources have told Football Insider,“ Wayne Veysey reported on Thursday.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper returned to the Etihad Stadium last summer after Man City activated a clause to re-sign him from Burnley in a deal worth around £27 million, matching Newcastle’s
offer in an 11th-hour move.
Trafford decided to join the Cityzens but he didn’t know he would have to compete for the No. 1 role with Gianluigi Donnarumma, who unexpectedly arrived during the same window and pretty much removed Trafford from the XI picture.
Donnarumma established himself as Pep Guardiola’s first choice, limiting Trafford to just three Premier League appearances this season, and left the Engand prodigy on the outside looking in.
Sources cited by Football Insider indicate that Trafford’s preference is to work under Unai Emery at Villa, with the prospect of Champions League soccer also influencing his stance, something Newcastle cannot guarantee at this point, given their precarious position in the Premier League table compared to Villa’s title-challenging campaign.
Newcastle, however, has the advantage of having tracked Trafford for several years and having previously agreed a fee of around £31 million before City used matching rights to complete the deal. The Magpies instead signed Aaron Ramsdale on loan as a last-minute fix for their depth in net.
Trafford’s stock remains high despite limited minutes in Manchester. In the 2024-25 Championship season with Burnley, he played 45 of 46 matches, conceded 16 goals and kept 29 clean sheets, helping their promotion to the EPL. He also saved two penalties and posted an 84.6 percent save rate.
Speaking to BBC Sport after an FA Cup appearance against Salford City, Trafford acknowledged the unexpected competition at City.
“It wasn’t what I expected coming into the season, and I tried to guard against this situation happening, but it’s the reality, and I know every time I play that I’ve got to give it my best shot,” Trafford said. “Try to win and try to improve, so that’s the current situation I’m in.”
When asked about his future, Trafford left the door open to an exit.
“Who knows, it’s football,” Trafford said. “Let’s take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens.”
