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Unai Emery | AFP via Getty Images
Aston Villa have been linked with the Manchester City player ahead of January but may need to look elsewhere
Aston Villa have emerged as Premier League title contenders following their impressive run of form recently. They are positioned in 3rd place in the table following their 3-2 away win at West Ham last time out. Unai Emery's side are three points behind Arsenal and two off Manchester City in 2nd.
The Midlands club are back in action this weekend with a home clash against Manchester United as they eye another win. Emery has the chance to freshen up his ranks with some new faces in the upcoming January transfer window. The Spaniard also have the opportunity to let some players head out the exit door as well if needed this winter to free up space and funds.
Aston Villa latest regarding James Trafford links
As per Football Insider, Manchester City have 'no intention' of selling James Trafford next month amid links to Aston Villa. Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in the goalkeeper. He re-signed for Pep Guardiola's side in the summer but has since played second fiddle behind Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Trafford, 23, is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2030 but he has struggled for game time this season. He has made six appearances for the North West giants in all competitions, only three of which have come in the league. However, his current club want to keep hold of him as cover for Donnarumma and they will need to assess his situation again next year.
The Cumbria-born man rose up through City's academy and was a regular for them at various different youth levels. He was loaned out as a youngster to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers in the Football League to get some experience under his belt. Burnley then snapped him up on a permanent basis in 2023 and he went on to play 73 matches altogether for the Clarets and worked under Vincent Kompany and then Scott Parker at Turf Moor.
Aston Villa should target James Trafford alternative in January transfer window
Aston Villa will need to look at alternative options to Trafford with it looking like City want to retain his services. Emi Martinez is currently Emery's number one and he has been with them since 2020. Marco Bizot was then snapped up in the summer and provides back-up.
Sheffield United's Michael Cooper could be worth a look by Villa. He was linked with West Ham earlier this year amid his £15 million price tag at the time, as per journalist Alan Nixon on his Patreon page. Nothing materialised in the end though and he stayed put in South Yorkshire beyond the last deadline on Monday 1st September.
Cooper, 26, has proved himself in the Championship over recent times and should now test himself at the top level. Although he probably would initially be a number two behind Martinez, he is someone who has potential to improve down the line and push for the first choice position in the future. He joined the Blades back in 2024 and helped them reach the play-off final last term under Chris Wilder.
They were beaten at Wembley by Sunderland and have since struggled to get over that defeat. Cooper broke into Plymouth Argyle's senior team as a youngster and went on to feature on 170 occasions before heading out the exit door to Bramall Lane for a new challenge. He has since made 64 outings for Sheffield United so has played a lot of football so far to boost his development.
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