Spurs eyeing move for England international

Tottenham Hotspur are the latest club to register an interest in Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, with the 23-year-old's future at the Etihad uncertain following a season spent largely on the bench.

According to Miguel Delaney of The Independent, Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi sees Trafford as a home-grown option whose distribution fits his tactical approach. It's not hard to see the appeal — Trafford is English, comfortable with the ball at his feet, and already has experience of starting and winning major finals.

That may come as a surprise given his limited Premier League minutes last season. Trafford rejoined City from Burnley for £27 million via a buy-back clause, initially expected to become the club's first-choice goalkeeper. Then City went and signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG late in the window, and Trafford was restricted to just four league starts under Pep Guardiola.

Still, he started and won both the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal and the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley. That suggests a temperament for the big occasion, even if the league opportunities weren't there.

Now, with Pep Guardiola gone and Enzo Maresca in charge, Trafford's situation is up for discussion. Maresca is expected to hold definitive talks with the goalkeeper once his duties with England at the 2026 World Cup are over. Trafford has made no secret of his desire to play regular first-team football at the highest level, with an eye on eventually displacing Jordan Pickford as England's No.1.

If Tottenham want him, they'll have competition. Newcastle United are long-term admirers and have already made contact. Brighton, Aston Villa, and Juventus are all reportedly monitoring the situation. City, meanwhile, are said to be demanding a hefty profit — likely in the region of £50 million to £60 million — for a player whose contract runs until 2030.

Spurs will need to move decisively if they want to win what's shaping up to be a crowded race for one of England's brighter young prospects.