Villa circle Man City’s James Trafford as Donnarumma domino reshapes the goalkeeping market
Aston Villa are sniffing around Manchester City’s James Trafford ahead of the summer, and you can see why. Per Football Insider, the Midlands club have joined the queue for the England keeper, who’s found himself parked behind Gianluigi Donnarumma at the Etihad and short of meaningful minutes.
Trafford only pitched up at City in the summer of 2025, but the landscape changed overnight when Donnarumma rocked up from Paris Saint-Germain. Since then, the 23-year-old has managed just three Premier League outings this term — a far cry from the pathway he was sold when he chose City over other suitors in the market.
The former Burnley stopper has long been highly rated — Scott Parker even branded him “world-class” after his standout Championship campaign. That tag carries weight, and it’s no surprise a clutch of top-flight clubs are monitoring a lad whose ceiling still looks sky high.
Villa’s interest also makes sense with Emi Martinez routinely linked to glamorous moves away. If Unai Emery does have to plan for life after the World Cup-winning Argentine, Trafford is the sort of profile you move early for.
Why Trafford fits Villa’s blueprint
He ticks just about every box for a progressive Emery side: young, home-grown, calm under pressure and comfortable with the ball at his feet. While he’s not racked up a season of Premier League starts yet, his shot-stopping instincts and presence in the box have never been in doubt — and the development runway at 23 is enormous.
Villa want to keep building from the back, and Trafford’s distribution — drilled in City’s environment — would be a tidy asset. If Martinez does depart, you’re not just replacing a big personality; you’re future-proofing a position for the next five to eight years.
The City picture and the player’s stance
Trafford has been candid about the curveball he faced after joining City. Asked about the Donnarumma move, he admitted: “I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it’s happened, so you just get on with it.” On his future, he wouldn’t be drawn either way: “I’ve obviously got a contract. I don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.”
His latest run-out came in the FA Cup against Salford City — a rare chance to show Pep Guardiola what he’s about. But with Donnarumma entrenched, a summer decision looms large.
Market forces: competition brewing
The interest isn’t limited to Villa; there are other Premier League admirers circling given his lack of minutes and obvious upside. That sort of attention can nudge prices north, though City’s own plans will ultimately set the tone for any negotiation.
Pundit’s verdict
Would Trafford be a smart signing for Villa? Absolutely — provided the numbers stack up. The upside is enormous, the profile is bang on, and the timing is perfect with a potential succession plan to consider. If Villa move decisively, they can solve tomorrow’s problem today and land a keeper who could anchor the project for years.
Fancy a flutter on where he ends up? Compare odds with the best betting sites before the window opens — there could be a twist or two before the ink dries.
