Tottenham Hotspur are ready to offer an escape route for out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Thomas Frank wants to bring in a rival for Vicario after recent struggles, with Trafford looking to bolster his chances of making Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.
Tottenham Keeping Tabs On James Trafford
Tottenham Hotspur are keeping a close eye on out-of-favour Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Ever since Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival at the Etihad in the summer, Trafford has played second fiddle to the Italian number one, limited to mainly Cup appearances since.
Trafford has played just three Premier League games, one Champions League fixture and two League Cup games for City this season, with Donnarumma clearly Pep Guardiola’s preferred choice between the sticks.
Despite Donnarumma close to an unwanted Premier League record, he is seen as the better goalkeeper of the two, hence why Trafford’s minutes on the pitch have been very limited so far this season.
With the 23-year-old England hopeful second choice at the eight-time Premier League champions, a move away from the Etihad in January is a must if Trafford is to make it into Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions World Cup squad in the summer.
With that in mind, Tottenham are ready to offer Trafford an escape route, with a January switch to north London very much on the cards. It’s a move that makes sense for both Trafford and Tottenham, with both parties in need of a change.
Newcastle United have previously expressed their interest in securing the services of Trafford, but that move is now dead in the water with Aaron Ramsdale performing well on loan and Nick Pope also a favourite of Eddie Howe’s.
A move to Tottenham could turn Trafford’s season around totally, with his hopes of making it to the 2026 World Cup with England potentially back on track.
𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: James Trafford wants to LEAVE #ManCity in January! 🚨‼️
Trafford was told he was joining as first choice keeper and talks in the summer centred on the move providing an opportunity to claim the England number one spot from Jordan Pickford! ❗️
📰 @Jack_Gaughan pic.twitter.com/QfoqJcl622
— City Report (@cityreport_) December 1, 2025
Spurs Want Trafford To Rival Vicario For Number One Spot
A January move from Manchester City to Tottenham Hotspur not only makes total sense for James Trafford, but for the north London outfit too.
Thomas Frank’s side have lost three games on the spin, with the former Brentford boss now second favourite in the latest Premier League sack race odds behind Leeds’ Daniel Farke.
Current number one Guglielmo Vicario has come under huge scrutiny of late, particularly after his blunder against Fulham at the weekend. Several fans have called for Spurs to look for a new stopper as soon as possible, with Trafford potentially the perfect fit between the sticks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It’s clear that Frank at least needs a top-class goalkeeper to rival his current number one, with several Tottenham fans booing Vicario after his recent struggles.
🚨 James Trafford wants out of Manchester City just five months after his £27M move in the summer.
Trafford had been signed as City's new No.1 before the club brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day leaving him demoted to the No.2 spot.
Donnarumma has started every… pic.twitter.com/B4DllrDSc3
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 1, 2025
Trafford is a young goalkeeper of course, but does have Premier League experience with Burnley last season and sporadically with his current employers City this term.
Bringing the 23-year-old into the fray at Tottenham looks like a no brainer for Frank and co, who will be looking to turn their season around in the hope of securing Champions League qualification come the end of the season.
A January move for Trafford looks highly likely, and Spurs would be silly not to pursue with problems of their own in goal.
