Exclusive: James Trafford has already chosen his next club between Aston Villa and Newcastle
James Trafford is prioritising a move to Aston Villa over Newcastle United this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Both Premier League clubs hold a strong interest in the goalkeeper, who has spent the majority of the season on the bench at Man City.
Sources close to Trafford say that the England youth international’s current stance is that he prefers a move to work under Unai Emery at Villa, who will likely be able to offer Champions League football.
The 23-year-old returned to the Etihad Stadium last season after his boyhood club triggered a clause to sign him from Burnley in a deal worth around £27million.
Trafford had arrived with the expectation that he would be the number one, but the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma came weeks later and would see the Englishman dropped to the bench.
James Trafford to pursue Man City exit
Newcastle have been interested in Trafford for many years, after goalkeeper impressed at Burnley.
The Clarets bought the England youth international in a deal worth up to £19m in 2023, and he struggled in his first Premier League season.
| James Trafford | Championship 2024-25 |
| Appearances | 45 |
| Goals conceded | 16 |
| Clean sheets | 29 |
| Penalties saved | 2/2 |
| Save percentage | 84.6% |
| Goals prevented | 12.9 |
Last season in the Championship, however, Trafford played a key part in a staggering defensive effort that saw Burnley achieve automatic promotion by keeping 30 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals.
Trafford appeared in 45 of the 46 games and kept 29 of the clean sheets, attracting huge interest from the Premier League.
Newcastle agreed a fee worth around £31m, but were hijacked when Man City matched the fee using the matching rights clause inserted in the contract that the goalkeeper signed in 2023.
The Magpies signed Aaron Ramsdale on loan instead, and less than a year on, Trafford is already keen to take the next step in his career.
What did Trafford say about his future?
Trafford has admitted that he had no idea that Man City would sign Donnarumma, and to be fair, decision-makers at the Etihad Stadium likely did not either.
The Italian’s availability was quite sudden, but the Citizens jumped at the chance to sign a world-class shot stopper.
Speaking to BBC Sport after featuring against Salford City in the FA Cup last week, he said: “Yeah they’re obviously nice [Cup appearances].
“It wasn’t what I expected coming into the season, and I tried to guard against this situation happening, but it’s the reality, and I know every time I play that I’ve got to give it my best shot.
“Try to win and try to improve, so that’s the current situation I’m in.”