Aston Villa will reportedly look to sign 23-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City in the winter transfer window.

According to a report by Football Insider, James Trafford is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a goalkeeper in the winter transfer window. So, the 23-year-old Manchester City shot-stopper has emerged as a target for the West Midlands outfit.

Recent reports have suggested that a loan exit may be on the cards for the Englishman heading into the winter transfer window as he attempts to win a spot in England’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Aston Villa will thus aim to sign Trafford as they look for a “strong alternative” to Emiliano Martinez amid the Argentine international’s faltering form.

James Trafford and his situation

James Trafford rejoined Manchester City from Burnley after establishing himself as one of the world’s best young goalkeepers over the last 12 months. The 23-year-old was exceptional in the 2024/25 season, playing a leading role in an exemplary campaign for Burnley. That compelled Manchester City to re-sign the youngster this past summer.

However, Trafford has fallen in the pecking order after Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day of the summer transfer window. The English goalkeeper has managed only 450 minutes of game time in five appearances thus far for Manchester City. So, a winter exit may be on the cards for him, with Aston Villa joining the race to sign him.

Move across the Premier League on the cards?

Aston Villa’s interest in James Trafford is perplexing. Unai Emery already has two goalkeepers in his squad, with Emiliano Martinez being the first-choice goalkeeper and Marco Bizot being the Argentine’s deputy. However, Martinez has not been at his best since his desired move to Manchester United collapsed.

So, Aston Villa will dip into the market for a goalkeeper, with Trafford emerging as a viable target. Meanwhile, leaving Manchester City is the ideal solution for the 23-year-old Englishman, as he must secure regular game time to travel to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Manchester City should ideally have no qualms about parting ways with Trafford, as they also have Stefan Ortega as a backup goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Aston Villa will likely face stiff competition for Trafford’s signature, as recent reports have also linked the English shot-stopper with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United.