Burnley star James Trafford is high on Tottenham Hotspur’s goalkeeper wishlist
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has just one senior goalkeeper in his ranks now following Guglielmo Vicario’s ankle surgery.
Vicario suffered an ankle fracture in the Spurs’ 4-0 win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and having played through it for an hour, potentially aggravating the problem in the process, he underwent surgery which has ruled him out of action until February at least.
Fraser Forster has deputised in goal for the injured Italian in recent games. The experienced glovesman has done a decent job for Ange Postecoglou’s side, though, at 36, he is far from a long-term option and is out of contract at the end of the season (Transfermarkt). Thus, there could be concerns about whether the veteran goalkeeper will be able to manage to play a match almost every three days between now and until Vicario returns from his injury.
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According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Tottenham are plotting a January swoop for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. Ange Postecoglou has given the club chiefs the green light to make a move for the Englishman, who could cost £20million.
James Trafford joined Burnley from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 and made 28 Premier League appearances last season. He couldn’t help the Clarets maintain their top-flight status.
The young goalkeeper has enjoyed a strong season in the Championship, leading the stingiest defensive unit built under the tutelage of Scott Parker. Trafford has made 21 league appearances, keeping an impressive 12 clean sheets and conceding only nine goals. He has been among the key reasons why Parker’s Burnley are third in the Championship.
The aforementioned report adds Trafford is currently ahead of Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson and Sheffield Wednesday novice Pierce Charles on Spurs’ wish list. The chiefs at the Hotspur Way view the 22-year-old, who received his first call-up to the England senior squad in November, as a goalkeeper who has ‘growth’ and could ‘push’ Vicario at N17.
Trafford is as accomplished with the ball at his feet as he is with the ball heading towards the goal. He has a season’s worth of Premier League experience under his belt and possesses the qualities as well as the potential to develop into a top-class goalkeeper at White Hart Lane. In addition, Big Ange and Spurs will struggle to find a better option at a supposed £20million set in the winter transfer window.
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All in all, Daniel Levy must not hesitate to splash the cash for Trafford and lure him away from Turf Moor to North London.
