James Trafford could leave Manchester City this summer, a year after joining the club from Burnley.
Trafford was surely promised regular first-team football when he was captured for £27 million from Burnley last July, only to face disappointment a month later.
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Gianluigi Donnarumma, arguably one of the world’s best goalkeepers, was signed for just £26m from PSG on transfer deadline day.
The Italian became Pep Guardiola’s indisputed number one, and Trafford was instantly relegated to second choice, making just 11 appearances across all competitions last term.
The England international felt frustrated about that situation, and ahead of next season, there are already talks of him leaving the Etihad Stadium.
Newcastle United are long-term admirers, having come close to signing the 23-year-old last summer before Man City swooped in, and he’s still their number one goalkeeper target.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, though, any potential move is “complicated” by Trafford’s stance on deciding his future after the World Cup.
He was selected as one of three goalkeepers for the tournament by Thomas Tuchel, joining first-choice Jordan Pickford and Crystal Palace stopper Dean Henderson.
Newcastle completed the signing of a goalkeeper earlier this week, as Ewen Jaouen joined from Reims, but Trafford’s potential arrival would offer strong competition.
