Newcastle United are leading the race to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, sources have told Football Insider.
The Magpies are among multiple Premier League sides interested in the 23-year-old, who is keen to depart the Etihad Stadium just 12 months after he returned in order to be a number one.
Sources say Newcastle are in ‘pole position’ for the England international, with Aston Villa among the clubs also thought to be keen.
Trafford will require assurances that he will be the number one at any club he joins this summer, having been seemingly unaware of the impending arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma when he joined Man City.
Newcastle have already completed a deal worth around £24million to sign Ewen Jaouen this summer, with the 20-year-old joining from Stade de Reims.
The Frenchman will likely sit behind an arriving number one in his debut Premier League season, although there is hope he will ultimately take the position.
We have completed the signing of highly-sought after goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Stade de Reims on a long-term contract pic.twitter.com/rvIqoCw8W5
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) June 10, 2026
Newcastle target James Trafford move
Trafford has been forced to bide his time this season, with his appearances since the arrival of Donnarumma limited to the cups.
The goalkeeper had been set to join Newcastle last summer before Man City stepped in, using the matching rights clause that had been inserted in his 2023 move to Burnley to sign him back.
The 23-year-old accepted the deal on the expectation that he would be Pep Guardiola’s number one, but it was a market opportunity that saw Donnarumma signed from PSG just weeks later.
Trafford has managed to impress in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup regardless, however, with Man City winning both competitions.
Newcastle have maintained their interest, and now appear ready for their second attempt.
What Trafford has said about leaving Man City
Trafford is currently with England at the World Cup, having been selected for Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
The 23-year-old is not expected to play a minute throughout the tournament, but it will undoubtedly be a good experience for a young goalkeeper.
Trafford’s future is expected to be addressed following the World Cup, with it yet unclear what type of fee Man City will expect.
Asked about his future, the England international said: “You never know, whether I move, whether I don’t move, I do what’s right for me and my career.
“It’s obviously been very challenging the past season, but looking back, I’ve learned so much, I’ve developed so much. I thought I’d had a lot of experiences up to this point in my career, but this was a new experience for me in everything.”
