Aston Villa are monitoring James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martínez if the Argentina goalkeeper decides to leave.
Martínez, 33, has had an uneasy relationship with Villa since he failed to get his desired exit from the club last summer. His hopes of joining Manchester United, Chelsea or Atlético Madrid never materialised, despite enlisting super-agent Jorge Mendes to help facilitate a deal.
Trafford’s future is in the balance at Manchester City. The 23-year-old rejoined the club for an initial £27million from Burnley last summer, two years after moving to the Lancashire club, but was then surprised that Pep Guardiola signed Gianluigi Donnarumma as first choice.
Martínez was pushing for a move away from Aston Villa last summerDan Mullan/Getty Images
Trafford has made 14 appearances for City this season, but only three in the Premier League. He helped City win the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal last month before earning his first senior England cap in the 1-1 draw against Uruguay.
He seems more likely to move if Guardiola stays in charge next season. But if City change manager this summer, his successor may prefer Trafford to Donnarumma, the 27-year-old Italian who is an outstanding shot-stopper but not as comfortable as the Englishman with the ball at his feet.
Newcastle United have maintained an interest in Trafford since losing out to City for his signature last summer, while Tottenham Hotspur have also kept tabs on him.
Newcastle have prioritised the signing of a new No1 in the summer and Trafford, whom they have tracked for two seasons, is very much at the top of the wishlist.
Trafford looks likely to move on in the summer if Guardiola remains at CityDarren Staples/AFP
Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush, the City forward, and Fulham’s Harry Wilson since trying to sign them in January. Marmoush, 27, has started only seven Premier League games for City this season, scoring once, having netted seven goals in 16 league games last season after a £59million move from Eintracht Frankfurt. Villa tried to sign the Egyptian on loan in January before moving for Tammy Abraham.
Wilson, 29, has been enjoying his best season in the top flight and is out of contract this summer. He was also the subject of interest from Everton in January.