Aston Villa are looking to secure a Champions League spot this season.placeholder image
Aston Villa are looking to secure a Champions League spot this season. | Getty Images
James Trafford could already be looking to move on from Man City as this season is ‘not what he expected’ under Pep Guardiola
Aston Villa target James Trafford is believed to be ‘definitely’ looking for a new club this summer as things aren’t panning out the way he had expected at Manchester City.
The 23-year-old signed for Pep Guardiola’s side last summer but after Gianluigi Donnarumma also arrived in the same window, Trafford’s opportunities have been limited.
The 23-year-old recently admitted this second string role is ‘not what he expected’ when he joined Man City.
Trafford gave BBC Sport insight into what will have been a frustrating realisation at City - admitting he had ‘tried to guard against this situation happening’. But his current reality is that he has been limited to mostly Cup appearances so far in his maiden season.
James Trafford ‘definitely’ looking for a new club this summer
As Villa potentially look for new options beyond Emi Martinez, former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has reported that Trafford is ‘definitely looking to leave Man City’ based on his current circumstances.
“He was convinced to go back to Man City, where he started off, after going away and developing his game, and it looked like a good move,” Brown told Football Insider. “All of a sudden, Donnarumma became available and you can’t blame City for going after one of the best goalkeepers in the world because it’s not often you get that choice.
“Trafford then is pushed to being their number two without even doing anything, and he’s now made it clear that was not part of the plan.
“He’s a top-class goalkeeper and he’s proved that, but now his career is being stalled by City and it looks to me like he is forcing his way out. There’s going to be no shortage of interest in him if he does become available, the issue he has now is whether City are willing to let him go.”
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