If a recent report from Goal is believed to be true, Liverpool are weighing up a summer move for James Trafford. But they are not alone in the hunt, with fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Aston Villa also keeping close tabs on the Manchester City outcast in an attempt to bolster themselves between the sticks.
Trafford’s story was supposed to be different when the Skyblues triggered the buyback clause in his Burnley contract and brought him back to the Etihad for around £27m. He was roped in to succeed Ederson as the new City ‘number 1’; however, their decision to snap up Gianluigi Donnarumma on the deadline day proved to be a setback for the young goalkeeper.
Despite starting the first few league fixtures, Trafford’s minutes have been limited to Cup games after the Italian’s arrival. He rose to fame with Burnley, having failed to break into Pep Guardiola’s plans during his previous tenure, as the English hotshots loaned him out to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers in League One for regular gametime, which led to a £15m (rising to a £19m with add-ons) transfer to the Clarets in the summer of 2023.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: James Trafford of England reacts towards teammate Harry Maguire during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Vincent Kompany, the then Burnley boss, used his contacts and connections at Man City to tie him down at Turf Moor following their top-flight promotion. Although they went down by the end of the 2023-24 season, the 23-year-old played a pivotal role in earning an immediate Premier League status under Scott Parker.
The young Three Lions international could be open to a fresh challenge for first-choice status, and Liverpool could offer him an immediate starting spot amid uncertainties over Alisson Becker’s future. The veteran Brazilian remains the preferred choice in the last line of defence. But his age and persistent injury problems could see the club listen to offers, with Juventus keen to bring him back to Italy ahead of the upcoming campaign.
The Reds parted ways with Caoimhin Kelleher and tied down Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia to deputise Alisson. The Georgian was expected to be the natural heir of the Selecao star, but the early impression has not been convincing enough to cement the ‘number 1’ spot. His inconsistency in distribution, as well as playing the ball out from the back, might force the Merseysiders to snap up another custodian, given Alisson’s influence in the build-ups.
Trafford, hailed for his shot-stopping ability, distribution, agility and composure under pressure, would be a like-for-like replacement for the Liverpool keeper. Nevertheless, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham and Villa are also having a crisis in goal, and City, therefore, might see a bidding war for their ‘number 2’ in the summer window.