Aston Villa are considering a move to sign one Man City star as a potential replacement for one of Unai Emery's key mainstays, according to talkSPORT.
Villa's summer looks set to involve significant movement in both directions.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on
Ollie Watkins is also facing an uncertain end to his Villa career, with AC Milan and Newcastle United among the clubs monitoring a striker whose form has dipped considerably this season after an impressive 2024/25 campaign.
Morgan Rogers, meanwhile, has attracted attention from several major clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, with his valuation reported at around £100m.
The England midfielder's departure would represent one of the most significant exits in the club's recent history, and planning for that possibility is understood to be underway.
Villa have also made a formal approach for Monaco teenage goalkeeper Yanis Benchaouch, moving to secure succession planning at the back, regardless of what happens with their current number one.
Gyokeres-Arsenal Related
[Aston Villa weigh up move for clinical striker who scouts are calling the "new Viktor Gyokeres"](https://www.footballfancast.com/aston-villa-transfers-swansea-zan-vipotnik-viktor-gyokeres/ "Aston Villa weigh up move for clinical striker who scouts are calling the "new Viktor Gyokeres"")
Unai Emery's have done their homework on him.
And it is that goalkeeping situation that is shaping up to be one of the defining transfer stories of Villa's summer.
Emiliano Martínez turns 34 in September and, despite being under contract until 2029, his departure from Villa Park appears a genuine prospect.
His agent has reportedly been making contact with European clubs, with Juventus and Inter Milan in the race to secure the Argentine's services — a trajectory that would mark the end of one of Villa's most impactful individual signings since their return to the elite.
Aston Villa eye James Trafford as Emiliano Martínez
The search for a replacement has been in progress for some time, and as now backed up by talkSPORT, James Trafford of Man City has been identified as a genuine candidate.
Manchester City's James Trafford looks dejected after the match
Villa are said to be targeting the 23-year-old, who has found himself surplus to requirements at the Etihad following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer.
Trafford returned to City for £27m from Burnley with the expectation of eventually becoming first choice, but Donnarumma's acquisition changed the picture entirely, leaving the Englishman limited to just three Premier League appearances this season.
His alleged desire to move on is pretty understood at this point.
Villa's interest in Trafford has been circling for months, and they are not alone.
Tottenham have moved to accelerate their own pursuit, with Roberto De Zerbi an admirer and Trafford open to the N17 move even in the event of relegation, as per other reports this week.
Newcastle have also been longstanding suitors, given they only just missed out on a deal for the ex-Burnley star, who Scott Parker called 'world-class', last summer.
james-trafford-man-city-premier-league
The precedent at Villa Park is an encouraging one.
Martinez himself arrived as a back-up from Arsenal before being given the platform to establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world at times.
Whether Trafford can follow a similar path depends partly on the club's ambition and partly on the man himself.
For now, Villa are watching, and the summer will determine whether that interest becomes something more concrete.
Celta Vigo's Oscar Mingueza in action with Olympique Lyonnais' Steeve Kango Related
La Liga club desperately trying to renew star's contract with Aston Villa showing major interest
The Villans are very keen on a summer deal.