James Trafford wants out of Manchester City this summer — and the queue of clubs willing to take him is growing by the day. According to an exclusive report from Goal.com, Liverpool and Chelsea are leading the chase for the 22-year-old England goalkeeper who has barely played since Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived at the Etihad from Paris Saint-Germain. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to have registered their interest.
For Trafford, the situation is increasingly untenable. He signed for City with enormous ambition and had every reason to believe he was the long-term future between the posts. Then Donnarumma landed — Champions League winner, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, exactly the kind of signing that changes a pecking order overnight. Since that moment, Trafford's opportunities have been limited to cup competitions and the odd Champions League rotation. For a goalkeeper of his quality and age, that simply is not good enough.
Liverpool: The Most Compelling Destination
Of all the clubs linked, Liverpool represents the most fascinating potential move. Alisson Becker is expected to end his eight-year stay at Anfield this summer, departing a year before his contract expires. That opens the door — but it is not quite as straightforward as it sounds. Liverpool already signed Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2024 for £29 million specifically with the future in mind, and he is widely expected to become the number one at some point.
The question, then, is whether Liverpool want Trafford as direct competition for Mamardashvili, or whether they would look elsewhere entirely. A move to Anfield would give Trafford a huge platform and the chance to fight for regular football at one of the biggest clubs in the world — but whether it would guarantee him the first-choice role he is seeking is another matter entirely.
Chelsea and the Other Contenders
Chelsea are also in the picture. The Blues have had a revolving door in goal for years and are always in the market for an upgrade. Whether Trafford fits their profile and budget remains to be seen, but the interest appears genuine. Aston Villa, who have done some excellent business in recent windows, would offer Trafford a better chance of being the undisputed first choice — a factor that could prove decisive in his decision-making.
Newcastle and Spurs round out the list of interested parties, both clubs with ongoing conversations about their goalkeeping situations heading into next season.
The Trafford Case: Why Clubs Are Right to Want Him
It would be easy to look at Trafford's lack of Premier League minutes and wonder whether there is a reason for it — but the truth is more straightforward. He has simply had the misfortune of being at a club that signed one of the world's elite goalkeepers in the same window. His performances in the cups and European competition have been solid, his shot-stopping is excellent, and he remains a regular fixture in the England setup.
At 22 years old with the right move, Trafford has every chance of becoming a top-level Premier League goalkeeper for the next decade. Clubs know this, which is why so many of them are monitoring his situation so closely.
City's Stance: Available for the Right Price
Manchester City are not expected to stand in Trafford's way. With Donnarumma firmly installed as the first choice and Trafford desperate for regular football, a sale this summer makes sense for all parties. The reported valuation of around £31 million is reasonable given his age and potential — and there will be no shortage of bidders willing to pay it.
The coming weeks should bring clarity on where Trafford ends up. Wherever he goes, expect him to make an immediate impact. This is a goalkeeper who has been waiting for his moment — and the summer of 2026 could be the point where he finally gets it.
Stay with SoloScore for all the latest transfer news throughout the summer window.
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