- James Trafford’s future will be resolved in upcoming transfer window
- Englishman has only played in cup competitions for Man City since August 2025
- Former Burnley man has widespread interest from clubs in England and abroad
Newcastle would be willing to meet Manchester City’s £35-40 million asking price for James Trafford in the summer transfer window, as per a new report.
Trafford is expected to leave Manchester City a year after marking an emotional return to his boyhood club from Burnley, having left the Blues for Turf Moor in 2023.
The 23-year-old has not played in the Premier League since August 2025, playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma since the Italian joined Manchester City on the final day of the previous summer transfer window from Paris Saint-Germain.
Serie A giants enter race to sign Manchester City’s James Trafford
After starting each of City’s first three league games of the season against Wolves, Tottenham and Brighton – Trafford’s minutes have come only in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and a 2-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in a deadrubber UEFA Champions League group-stage fixture in November 2025.
Report: Newcastle to rekindle Trafford interest
Newcastle United have held a long-standing interest in Trafford, who was open to leaving Manchester City in January to boost his prospects of making England’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
However, Pep Guardiola wanted to keep hold of his backup goalkeeper as City fought on four fronts in a transitional season. As reported by Mail Sport’s Craig Hope, Newcastle are set to revisit their interest in Trafford this summer.
An asking price in the region of £35-40 million is unlikely to be ‘prohibitive’ for officials at St. James’ Park, who alongside Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe have identified Trafford as a potent addition to their goalkeeping department ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Juventus, Aston Villa and Tottenham also hold an interest in Trafford, who is almost certain to leave Manchester City in the summer for regular first-team opportunities.
Trafford’s 2025-26 season at Man City
For what it’s worth, Trafford has played his part in helping Manchester City win the Carabao Cup final and progressing to the FA Cup final after last week’s comeback win over Southampton in the semi-final at Wembley.
Liverpool and Chelsea express interest in summer transfer for Manchester City goalkeeper
The Englishman made a series of vital saves in the first-half of City’s Carabao Cup final triumph over Arsenal before Nico O’Reilly scored a brace of headers in the second-half to win a first trophy in two seasons for Guardiola and co.
Trafford has also played every FA Cup game this season for City, who will face Chelsea in the final after goals from Jeremy Doku and Nico Gonzalez overturned a one-goal deficit at Wembley on Saturday.
As has been the case with wantaway players over the years, Manchester City will not block a summer exit for Trafford should a suitor club match their valuation.
