Premier League trio plotting exit route for James Trafford after Manchester City future comments

Aston Villa are among several Premier League teams eyeing a move for Manchester City second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford this summer, as per a new report.

Trafford, 23, returned to the Etihad Stadium from Burnley last summer after an impressive, record-breaking season at Turf Moor that saw him concede just 16 goals in his second and final season at the club.

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As a result of such dominance between the sticks, Scott Parker’s side secured promotion to the Premier League but missed out on the title to Leeds United, who peaked the EFL Championship table on goal difference.

Trafford’s return to his youth club Manchester City was seen as a huge turning point for Pep Guardiola’s side, whose transition from Ederson – perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world with a ball at his feet – raised concerns about how the defensive line would cope moving forward.

Although Trafford is one of England’s best prospects at present, last summer’s deadline day arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain has marred the personal hope that the Englishman would be Guardiola’s number one in Manchester.

Trafford expressed frustration over his game-time situation at City after keeping a clean sheet in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round win over Salford City, an interview that has since heavily divided opinion among the fanbase and sparked talk over an inevitable parting of ways in the summer.

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Trafford was linked with numerous clubs in January but City opted to sell Stefan Ortega Moreno to Nottingham Forest instead, with Guardiola praising Trafford for his reliability recently after refusing to sanction a mid-season exit for his backup goalkeeper.

City could soon find themselves in goalkeeper turmoil however, with Football Insider reporting that Trafford has been monitored closely by Premier League competitors, including Aston Villa.

Trafford will weigh up his options ahead of the window as he seeks a better guarantee of playing time at the highest level, having admitted that it has not worked to plan this season at Manchester City following his return to his boyhood club.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, journalist Pete O’Rourke said: “Leeds (United) will be among a number of Premier League clubs who’ll be looking at Trafford’s situation come the summer window.

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“Aston Villa are looking at him, Newcastle have held a long-term interest in Trafford as well and came close to signing him before he ended up going back to Manchester City. If Leeds were to stay up, it might be an area that they might look to strengthen in.

“(There is) lots of water to go under the bridge before anything happens on that front but I’m sure there’ll be a lot of clubs who’ll be looking at Trafford’s situation.”

Trafford put in an immaculate performance against Salford on Saturday as he continued to show reasons why he shouldn’t be a bench player. It remains to be seen how his future unfolds but it would come as no surprise to see him chose first-team football away from the Etihad Stadium.