Tottenham are scouring the market for options to potentially replace Guglielmo Vicario in the summer.
Guglielmo Vicario has been a mainstay at Tottenham Hotspur since the start of the 2023/24 campaign. However, he hasn’t been fully convincing across his time in North London thus far.
The Italian’s inconsistency, lack of command in the box during set-plays and costly errors have led to the fans wanting him out at the end of the season. Vicario, too, is ready to end his time in the Premier League and return to Serie A, where he’s not short of suitors. Inter Milan are plotting a summer move for Vicario, but they could face competition from Serie A rivals Juventus.
Tottenham are looking to upgrade their goalkeeping department before the 2026/27 campaign begins. Crystal Palace star Dean Henderson is the latest name to be linked with a move to the North Londoners. Another shot-stopper who has been on their radar is James Trafford of Manchester City.
Ex-scout says Tottenham plan to up their ante for James Trafford
Tottenham wanted to sign James Trafford last summer, but his boyhood club, Manchester City, pushed for his services and eventually got him. He was tempted to re-join Manchester City after spending two seasons with Burnley. However, after Trafford returned to the Etihad Stadium with a view to taking over Ederson’s No.1 spot, the Cityzens secured the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG on transfer deadline day.
Since then, Donnarumma has played every league game, bar Trafford, starting the opening three fixtures. The Englishman has been limited to only appearances in domestic cup competitions. The 23-year-old is clearly unhappy with his situation at Man City, and it was reflected in his interview after the FA Cup fourth-round win over Salford City.
Now, ex-scout Mick Brown has revealed that Spurs would be interested in stepping up their interest in Trafford if he’s allowed to leave City in the summer.
“Tottenham are looking at a few new goalkeepers,” Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider.
“One who I think is going to be high up on their list is James Trafford, the Man City goalkeeper, because it looks like he might be available.
“He’s not happy at Man City and he’s made that pretty clear, he doesn’t want to be a number two, so a move to Tottenham could be a good opportunity.
“Trafford is still very highly rated, whenever you hear people speaking about him they always have good things to say, and he showed what he can do at Burnley. He’s an England international and he’s still only young as well, so it’s more of a long-term investment.
“It might depend on his future at Man City, if they are willing to let him go then he’s going to be a top target for Tottenham, but it’s still in their hands.”
Trafford would be an upgrade on Vicario
Should Tottenham retain their top-flight status and want to make genuine progress in the league, they must get rid of Vicario. The good thing is Vicario is not short of suitors and would welcome back a move to Italy. And Trafford would be an excellent option to replace the Italian international as Spurs’ new No.1.
Highly rated in England, Trafford is not content playing second-fiddle to Donnarumma at City. At 23, he wants to enjoy regular minutes, but with Donnarumma being Pep Guardiola’s undisputed No.1, Trafford must leave his boyhood club for the second time to rejuvenate his career. A move to Tottenham would make total sense, giving him the platform to establish himself as a top goalkeeper in the Premier League.
However, it would depend on whether City are willing to let the English glovesman leave.