Tottenham Eyeing Man City’s Trafford as Vicario Exit Looms

Tottenham Hotspur have placed Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford on their summer shortlist as new head coach Roberto De Zerbi prepares for a major squad overhaul, according to a report in The Sun. The 23-year-old England international, who re-joined City from Burnley for £27 million last summer, has not featured in the Premier League since August 2025 after being usurped by Gianluigi Donnarumma and is now open to a move that guarantees first-team football.

With Inter Milan accelerating negotiations to sign current Spurs No. 1 Guglielmo Vicario—personal terms are already agreed—Tottenham’s recruitment team has identified Trafford as the leading candidate to fill the anticipated vacancy. Backup keeper Antonin Kinsky is judged not yet ready for sustained top-flight duty, making a senior goalkeeper acquisition a priority for De Zerbi regardless of where the club finishes in the table.

Trafford’s performances have been confined largely to cup competitions, but he caught the eye with a commanding display in City’s 2-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal last weekend. Those displays have not gone unnoticed: Newcastle United are considered front-runners for his signature, while Aston Villa view him as a long-term successor to Emiliano Martinez.

Spurs admire Trafford’s ball-playing qualities and command of the penalty area—traits that align with De Zerbi’s possession-based system—and believe he could flourish as the first-choice keeper in north London. Yet they risk losing out to clubs offering immediate European football; both Newcastle and Villa are pushing for qualification to continental competitions and can present a more stable competitive environment.

Manchester City are unlikely to stand in Trafford’s way should he seek a fresh start, meaning Tottenham must act decisively if they are to secure the highly rated shot-stopper ahead of their Premier League rivals.