Three Premier League clubs who should sign James Trafford as Man City exit already looms
Premier League clubs will be keeping tabs as James Trafford looks to push for a move away from Man City just six months after arriving.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Trafford’s exit in January is now “inevitable”, having returned to the Etihad Stadium with the hope of being first choice, only for that to be quickly taken away.
Instead, Gianluigi Donnarumma has been Pep Guardiola’s chosen goalkeeper, but because of his lack of ability with the ball at his feet, not all supporters are convinced by the Italian international.
Guardiola continues to stick with the 26-year-old, with his shot-stopping completely unmatched in the Premier League, but that appears to be forcing Trafford out just six months after joining from Burnley.
According to talkSPORT, the Citizens are reluctant to allow him to leave next month, but the club may have no choice. With that in mind, these three clubs should be hunting for his signature.
Burnley
Burnley only sold Trafford back to Man City during the summer, selling him for £27million. Given how loved he was at Turf Moor, however, a return would not be totally out of the question.
The Clarets conceded just 16 goals in the Championship last season, keeping a total of 29 clean sheets, but the 23-year-old has only been allowed a few chances to prove himself back in Manchester.
Martin Dubravka, 36, has been Scott Parker‘s main option in 2025-26, so if Burnley were able to agree a loan-to-buy option, a return to Turf Moor might be the most sensible option.
Wolves
Wolves are one of the clubs credited with interest in the talented shot-stopper, and looking at Rob Edwards‘ current options between the sticks, it makes total sense.
Sam Johnstone, 32, Jose Sa, 32, and Daniel Bentley, 32, are all in the twilight of their careers, and bringing in fresh blood could give the Old Gold a necessary boost for the second half of the campaign.
The main worry, however, will be that Wolves look destined to be relegated to the Championship, and with Trafford dreaming of an England call-up for the World Cup, that would not look great.
Nottingham Forest
Similar to Wolves, Nottingham Forest‘s main choice is 33-year-old Matz Sels, with neither John Victor nor Angus Gunn getting much of a look-in at the City Ground.
Sean Dyche could already be looking to the future, and given the amount of money that Forest have invested in recent seasons, signing Trafford would not be strange for the Reds.
Whether it was permanent or just a loan, Trafford to Forest is unlikely to be a deal that supporters would turn their nose up at. It just depends on whether Guardiola will sanction the exit in January.