Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leeds United are all interested in signing Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.placeholder image
Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leeds United are all interested in signing Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford. | Getty Images
The latest transfer news involving Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Leeds United and Manchester City.
Aston Villa reportedly hold a strong interest in Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford ahead of the summer transfer window but face competition from several Premier League rivals.
Emiliano Martinez undoubtedly remains Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper, however transfer speculation never seems to die down concerning the Argentine. Martinez, who won the FIFA World Cup in 2022, tried to force a move to Manchester United in the summer and there have since been links with the likes of Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
Martinez, now 33, isn’t getting any younger and he’s also one of the highest earners at Villa Park, so his departure in an upcoming transfer window cannot be ruled out. Villa have been preparing for Martinez’s potential exit for a while now, shortlisting potential signings in case they need to make moves to replace the former Arsenal man.
Aston Villa race Newcastle and Leeds for £31m gem
One goalkeeper Villa are targeting, if the latest rumours are to be believed, is Man City’s Trafford. The England international only rejoined City from Burnley last summer in a deal worth around £31 million including add-ons, but he could be on the move yet again in a few months’ time.
Trafford joined City in the belief he would become the new number one goalkeeper following the departure of Ederson for Fenerbahce. But it hasn’t worked out that way, as Pep Guardiola’s side then made an opportunistic move for Gianluigi Donnarumma, almost immediately demoting Trafford to backup status.
Football Insider reports Villa are one of many teams eager to offer Trafford an escape route. Pete O’Rourke, via the Transfer Insider podcast, explained: “Leeds will be among a number of Premier League clubs who’ll be looking at Trafford’s situation come the summer window.
“Aston Villa are looking at him, Newcastle have held a long-term interest in Trafford as well and came close to signing him before he ended up going back to Manchester City.
“If Leeds were to stay up, it might be an area that they might look to strengthen in. A lot will depend on what the player himself wants to do, if he wants to move away in search of regular first-team football come next summer.”
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