- James Trafford is expected to leave Manchester City this summer
- Aston Villa are one of four clubs interested in the goalkeeper
- Former Manchester City adviser Stefan Borson believes the clubs monitoring him are “too good to turn down”
The future of Emi Martinez at Aston Villa will be a talking point this summer, with a departure certainly on the cards. James Trafford is reportedly on their list of potential replacements, offering a younger and cheaper alternative.
After last year’s fiasco, where Martinez was open to leaving, and Manchester United and Atletico Madrid were circling, it seems sensible to suggest the Argentinian would be keen on a move away from Villa Park.
Furthermore, given Villa’s battle with financial restrictions, and as the two-time Yashin Trophy winner is 33-years-old, and one of the highest earners at the club, it makes sense for the Villans to be interested in sanctioning a sale.
Trafford has been deputising Gianluigi Donnarumma this season, despite being re-signed last summer for £27 million, with a view to take the No 1 jersey.
This makes a potential exit appealing, as for a player his age, he would want to be playing regularly.
| Competition | Appearances | Clean Sheets |
| Premier League | 3 | 1 |
| Carabao Cup | 6 | 4 |
| FA Cup | 4 | 2 |
| UEFA Champions League | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 14 | 7 |
Newcastle, Leeds and Tottenham are the other three clubs interested, with a £40 million price tag enough for Man City to accept offers.
Borson’s view
Stefan Borson was the financial adviser for Man City between 2002 and 2007. Speaking to Football Insider, he discussed Trafford’s future at the Etihad.
“I would expect him to leave largely because he wants to, but also because the quality of the clubs that appear to be interested in him are going to be too good to turn down.
“We’re getting to the point now where even potential Champions League teams are going to be interested. I saw Villa were added to the list.
“Spurs are not going to be in the Champions League next season, maybe Championship, but if they survive, then that would be an interesting move for him as well. You’re looking at really good clubs that are going to be in for him.”
He also revealed that he believes City would want him to stay, but as they are not going to make him number one, he would “inevitably” leave.
“I don’t think City are going to make him number one, so inevitably he would leave.
“City would very much like him to stay. To be able to have two goalkeepers of that quality going into any season is obviously something that they’d prefer.
“I expect him to leave right now, but the fee would be probably a relatively small upside on what they paid last summer, sort of in the £40 million level because he’s been impressive, particularly as the season’s worn on.”
At 23-years-old, Trafford has heaps of talent. He has already showcased what he is capable of this season, with his performances in the FA and Carabao cups. He is likely England’s No 1 in the future, so his best chances at achieving that and reaching his potential are to leave City.
Out of all the clubs interested in him, Villa are the only ones that could offer him Champions League football, as well as the opportunity to work under a world-class manager. For those reasons, a move to Villa Park seems like a perfect fit.
