Aston Villa have been gifted a major boost as they battle Newcastle United for the signature of a Premier League star, according to a new report.
Unai Emery does not do complacency.
Aston Villa EMERY
Even with Villa sitting third in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal and well-placed in the Europa League, the Spaniard is never satisfied.
It is that relentless drive that has turned Villa from an aspirational club into genuine contenders over the past couple of seasons, and right now, the mood at Villa Park is cautiously optimistic.
Saturday's home game against Leeds United is the kind of game that separates genuine title challengers from the pretenders.
Villa need wins in these moments. Recent form has been inconsistent — a defeat to Brentford, a draw at Bournemouth and an FA Cup exit to Newcastle have tempered what is still a very promising campaign.
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The Villans are making pre-summer moves.
The win over Brighton last weekend steadied the ship, but Emery knows that dropping points against a Leeds side fighting for their own Premier League survival would send entirely the wrong message.
Get past Leeds with three points tonight, and the momentum shifts heading into next week's trip to Wolves.
Keep winning and Champions League football — the prize that is driving every decision at this club — remains very much in their own hands.
That ambition is not just confined to what happens on the pitch between now and May.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Behind the scenes, Villa's recruitment team have been quietly working through a summer wishlist. Emery wants to strengthen, the club's hierarchy wants to push on.
One position in particular has been identified as a priority before next season begins.
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Emiliano Martínez has been, at times, one of the best shot-stoppers in world football for Villa, but questions have lingered about long-term succession planning between the sticks.
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The solution, according to Football Insider journalist Wayne Veysey, is already being lined up.
Man City goalkeeper James Trafford re-joined the Sky Blues last summer after hijacking Newcastle's £31 million deal for the Englishman, with both Villa and the Magpies planning a summer move.
The 23-year-old England youth international has had one of the most frustrating seasons imaginable.
He returned to City after his boyhood club triggered a clause to buy him back from Burnley for around £27m, arriving with every expectation of becoming their number one.
Then Gianluigi Donnarumma became available, City moved fast, and Trafford suddenly found himself watching from the bench.
Manchester City's James Trafford looks dejected after the match
He has been candid about his disappointment, admitting it was not what he anticipated when he walked back through the Etihad doors.
Newcastle have admired Trafford for years and tried to sign him last summer, only to be pipped to his signature when City exercised their matching rights clause at the eleventh hour.
Howe's side remain interested and are preparing a fresh approach, but Football Insider report that Trafford himself has already made up his mind about joining Villa or Newcastle.
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He's 'prioritising' a move to Villa over Newcastle, drawn by the prospect of working under Emery and the lure of Champions League football — the stage Villa are determined to reach and stay on.
For a goalkeeper with Trafford's credentials — 29 clean sheets in 45 Championship appearances for Burnley last season — that ambition makes perfect sense.
Villa want him, he wants Villa, now it is seemingly just a matter of getting the deal done and agreeing a fee with City.
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