Thomas Frank was left having to defend Guglielmo Vicario after an error-prone Spurs performance against Nottingham Forest.
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Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham have been dealt a potentially fatal transfer blow in their pursuit of struggling Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford in January.
Both London outfits have been linked with a move for a new shot-stopper in recent weeks. The Hammers invested £20 million in Mads Hermansen from Leicester City this summer but the 25-year-old had an underwhelming start to life at the London Stadium.
Alphonse Areola has since reclaimed the number one spot but there’s a feeling that the club does not view the Frenchman as a long-term solution with Lukasz Fabianski also returning on a free transfer in September.
West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur in market for goalkeeping upgrades
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur number one Guglielmo Vicario is under intense scrutiny after shaky performances this term. The goalkeeper’s horror pass to Archie Gray was the latest moment to forget at Nottingham Forest.
Spurs boss Thomas Frank has stood by Vicario but it has not stopped transfer rumours. When asked if he was frustrated at the player’s error on Sunday, Frank said: “No … I think you see that every week in the Premier League and from every team all over the world. So there’s no problem with that. Mistakes like that happen. When things are going against us we need to keep doing the right thing and keep our cool heads.”
One goalkeeper who has been linked with both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham is Trafford. Football Insider carry the latest on the 23-year-old’s future and suggests that, despite a lack of playing time this term, Manchester City will not let him leave in January.
Man City position on James Trafford outlined
Trafford only signed at the Etihad Stadium in the summer after an impressive campaign with Burnley in the Championship. The club did then, however, invest in Gianluigi Donnarumma, which has demoted Trafford to a place on the bench.
The outlet claims that Newcastle United and Aston Villa are also interested in the goalkeeper. Hammers News suggest that West Ham could also reignite interest having made enquiries over the player this summer.
Football Insider claim that the five-year contract penned by Trafford this summer means that any exit is ‘highly unlikely’ come January. The shot stopper has featured in cup games and, with Manchester City in fine form, is expected to have more opportunities as the season continues.
Trafford is expected to start against Brentford in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night with Manchester City set to rebuff any January interest in their second choice.
In other news, Next Tottenham Manager: Spurs to be beaten to ex Liverpool boss by Saudi outfit.