Aston Villa are targeting both James Trafford and Omar Marmoush from Manchester City as Guardiola’s future sparks uncertainty.
Villa want Trafford as a long-term replacement for Martinez should the Argentine depart
Emery tried to sign Marmoush on loan in January before moving for Abraham instead
Guardiola is being linked with the Italy national team job following Gazzetta dello Sport speculation
Marmoush is expected to be available for slightly below the £59m City paid for him last year
The Guardiola Effect. City’s uncertainty creates Villa’s opportunity
Pep loves Italy and Italy loves Pep. Gazzetta dello Sport’s speculation linking Pep Guardiola with the Italy national team job has sent shockwaves through Manchester City’s summer planning.
Should the Catalan manager depart the Etihad, the ripple effects on City’s squad would be immediate and significant, creating a transfer window opportunity that Villa are already positioning themselves to exploit across two very specific positions.
The Midlands club have identified a City goalkeeper and a City attacker as primary targets: a double pursuit that reflects both the scale of Villa’s summer rebuild and the intelligence of their recruitment team in anticipating market shifts before rivals react.
Aston Villa are monitoring James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martínez if the Argentina goalkeeper decides to leave this summer per the Times.#AVFC have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush, the City forward, and Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
Villa tried to… pic.twitter.com/kyHzIxnFEL
— Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) April 23, 2026
Trafford: the long-term Martinez succession plan
James Trafford’s situation at Manchester City carries a clear logic within Villa’s goalkeeping planning.
The 23-year-old Englishman has an uncertain future at the Etihad, and with Emiliano Martinez’s summer departure increasingly likely, Emery needs a credible long-term successor between the posts.
Trafford’s profile fits precisely. Young, technically accomplished, and with Championship experience at Burnley that has accelerated his development significantly: the English goalkeeper represents a cost-effective and future-focused alternative to more expensive European options.
Furthermore, Champions League football at Villa Park would provide exactly the high-level stage required to accelerate his progression to elite status.
Marmoush: the attacking versatility Villa desperately need
The Marmoush pursuit carries an equally compelling narrative.
According to The Times, Emery specifically targeted the Egyptian international in January before ultimately moving for Tammy Abraham instead.
That retained interest, now elevated to a concrete summer pursuit, reflects genuine and specific admiration from the Spanish manager.
The 27-year-old’s versatility is the central appeal. Capable of operating as a striker, left winger, or in the number ten role: his adaptability would provide Emery with the attacking flexibility that Champions League football demands.
Furthermore, his underlying quality is beyond question.
Twenty-eight goals and 17 assists across all competitions last season demonstrated a player operating at genuine elite level before City’s squad depth limited his involvement this term.
TargetAgePositionReported FeeKey StatJames Trafford23GoalkeeperTBCLong-term Martinez successorOmar Marmoush27AttackerBelow £59m28G/17A last .season
The attacking context. Why Marmoush makes perfect sense
Emery faces a significant attacking rebuild regardless of what happens with individual players.
Sancho departs at the end of his loan. Abraham and Bailey have both underperformed expectations. Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are both attracting serious exit interest.
Adding Marmoush, described by Guardiola himself as a “special player”, would represent a statement of genuine intent.
So, Guardiola’s future remains unresolved. City’s squad planning is consequently uncertain.
Villa’s window to move decisively and at a favourable price is open right now and Emery’s recruitment team appear fully aware of it.