Manchester City are not ready to sanction the exit of James Trafford in the January transfer window amid Tottenham interest.
Tottenham Hotspur’s defence has been an area of strength under Thomas Frank, unlike his predecessor Ange Postecoglou. The Dane decided to tighten up the screws at the back after becoming the club’s new boss back in June. This led to them shutting out the opponents and keeping many clean sheets in the opening months of the 2025/26 campaign.
However, Spurs have been all over the place defensively in recent weeks. They have conceded 15 goals in the last five games, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been one of the reasons for the team’s sloppiness at the back. After starting the season well, Vicario’s form and confidence has tumbled. The 29-year-old made a mess of a simple clearance against Fulham, leading to Harry Wilson’s long-range goal last weekend.
What followed after Vicario’s mistake was boos and jeers from certain sections of the home fans for the rest of the game. The Italian international’s future at Tottenham has come under scrutiny, with the door opening for him to move to Inter Milan next summer. However, that hasn’t stopped Tottenham from scouring the market for his potential replacements.
Manchester City reluctant to let James Trafford leave in January
As per recent reports, Spurs have identified Manchester City’s James Trafford as one of the potential options to replace Vicario.
James Trafford returned to Manchester City in the summer, signing from Burnley just two years after he had left the Etihad Stadium. The English goalkeeper enjoyed a brilliant season in the Championship with Burnley, keeping 29 clean sheets in 45 appearances as Scott Parker’s side were promoted. And with the route to a first XI berth at Man City becoming clear, the move seemed to be a perfect one for the 23-year-old.
Trafford started the season in between the sticks for the Sky Blues, but Pep Guardiola surprisingly decided to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG. Donnarumma replaced Trafford in the City goal after three games, and since then, he’s been restricted to just cup appearances. This has stunted the Englishman’s development and is now keen to leave the club in January.
However, according to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, City are considered unlikely to sanction Trafford’s exit midway through the campaign amid interest from some top-flight clubs including Tottenham, as they plan to keep two strong goalkeepers.
“Yeah, I think obviously Trafford’s not happy at the minute because he’s playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma,” Pete O’Rourke revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.
“I think it’s probably coming down to Trafford’s ambition to be in that England squad for the World Cup, but if he’s not playing, it’s going to be hard to be in Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
“That’s probably why speculation over his future has intensified in recent weeks.
“We know Newcastle are long-term admirers, Aston Villa have been mentioned as well with the ongoing uncertainty around Emiliano Martinez’s future, Spurs have also been linked as well.
“But I just don’t see City letting him go in January despite the player being unhappy and wanting to play. City won’t to weaken their squad in January and leave themselves short in that goalkeeping department.”
Boon in disguise for Spurs?
Vicario has come under a lot of fire for unforced errors and mistakes, and his howler in defeat to Fulham have left fans frustrated. Yet, the Lilywhites are reportedly unlikely to part ways with their No.1 next month. So, at least until the end of the season, Vicario is staying at Tottenham.
So, City reluctant to let Trafford leave in January could seemingly work in favour of Tottenham. Alongside Spurs, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also interested in the England youth international as they look to upgrade their goalkeeping department. If Tottenham have decided to stick with Vicario for the season and replace him with a new No.1 in the summer, then Trafford staying at City would bode well.
Come the 2026 summer transfer window, the Lilywhites would be in a position to battle Newcastle and Aston Villa for Trafford in a bid to solve their goalkeeping conundrum for years.
