Aston Villa have shifted their focus toward Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as preparations for the January transfer window intensify.
According to information shared with Football Insider, Aston Villa’s interest in Trafford is beyond a mere speculation. They are actively assessing options behind the scenes and have now placed Trafford high on their shortlist.
The interest comes at a moment of uncertainty for the 23-year-old shot-stopper, who rejoined City during the summer in what was expected to be a developmental step.
Trafford returned to the Etihad Stadium with the intention of providing meaningful competition for Ederson, while also continuing his steady rise after a standout spell at Burnley.
However, the dynamics at City have shifted rapidly. His initial role as a challenger for the No.1 position has been diminished following the arrival and strong early influence of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian has quickly established himself as Pep Guardiola’s preferred first-choice, pushing Trafford further down the pecking order and prompting renewed questions about how—and where—his career progresses from here.
Insiders familiar with the situation indicate that Trafford’s long-term pathway at Manchester City has become more complicated than originally anticipated, and Villa are one of the clubs monitoring the unfolding situation very closely.
With the window approaching, both clubs are expected to hold internal discussions that could shape the next chapter of the young keeper’s career.
Villa’s keeper plans and Martinez’s uncertain future
Aston Villa’s interest in Trafford is not without context. Emiliano Martinez, who has been the undisputed No.1 at Villa Park and a key figure in Argentina’s recent international successes, came close to departing the club during the summer.
Although he ultimately remained in the Premier League, his early-season form has struggled to match his usual high standard, giving the Villa hierarchy reason to consider long-term alternatives.
The club view Trafford as a compelling candidate with significant upside—both as future competition for Martinez and, if circumstances align, as his eventual successor.
Those familiar with Villa’s recruitment strategy describe Trafford as someone with the temperament and potential to evolve into a first-choice keeper at a top Premier League club.
Sources have suggested that Villa see him as a strong alternative to Martinez and are weighing whether January would represent the right moment to move.
With the mid-season window often full of unpredictability, timing could become key, particularly if other clubs begin circling.
Meanwhile Aston Villa’s interest in Trafford might present the chance to secure the regular topflight football the goalkeeper needs to maintain his development.
Having already shown impressive glimpses of his talent at Burnley and on the international youth stage, he is entering a critical period in which consistent minutes could shape his trajectory for both club and country.
Trafford’s future at City in doubt as loan looks “likely”
Mounting speculation around Trafford’s place at City suggests that a departure—potentially on loan—is becoming an increasingly realistic scenario.
Those close to the situation say it is “likely” that he will leave Manchester City next year as Guardiola recalibrates the goalkeeping hierarchy behind Donnarumma.
A temporary move could give Trafford the competitive platform he needs without completely shutting the door on a long-term future at the Etihad.
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For City, loaning out the 23-year-old could be viewed as a pragmatic step, especially given the need to keep young talents active and developing.
Trafford’s experience at Burnley last season, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s Championship-winning campaign, remains one of the more compelling examples of his potential.
He recorded 29 clean sheets, an exceptional tally that drew widespread praise across the league.
His form became even more remarkable as the season progressed. Trafford went almost three months without conceding a goal, a run that cemented his reputation as one of the most reliable keepers in the division.
Those performances ultimately led to his recall by Manchester City and generated the belief that he could soon challenge at Premier League level.
