Tottenham can level up on Guglielmo Vicario with James Trafford transfer lined up
Tottenham Hotspur are keeping tabs on James Trafford’s situation at Manchester City as Guglielmo Vicario looks set for a summer exit.
As per The Sun, Tottenham’s number one Vicario is likely to end his stay in north London at the end of the season, amid strong interest from Inter Milan.
If the 29-year-old does leave, Tottenham will try to sign a new goalkeeper regardless of whether they stay in the Premier League or not.
Back-up City keeper Trafford has emerged as a possible target for Tottenham, who also have Antonin Kinsky as their current second-choice stopper.
If Roberto De Zerbi‘s team stave off relegation to the Championship, Tottenham would do well to try and pursue former Burnley man Trafford.
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James Trafford among Tottenham’s targets
It’s stated that while Tottenham are admirers of Trafford, Newcastle are in the driving seat for the 23-year-old, with the Magpies just missing out on the £27million signing last summer.
Aston Villa have also been credited with interest in the City ace, if Emi Martinez moves on, but Unai Emery’s men are also keeping tabs on Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen.
Trafford was signed as City’s number one last summer, but when Gianluigi Donnarumma became available, he became second choice.
The Italian is unlikely to be usurped from his number one spot any time soon, which is why Trafford may be heading for an Etihad departure.
According to Sofascore, in Trafford’s three Premier League games this season, he has prevented 1.9 goals, compared to Vicario’s minus 5.2.
Moreover, in City’s Carabao Cup-winning campaign, Trafford shipped only two goals in six matches.
In the 2024-25 campaign for Burnley, Trafford had a save percentage of 84.5 per cent. His goals prevented total was plus-12.9, as he let in just 16 from an Expected Goals on Target of 28.9.
While the Premier League is a step up in quality, Trafford has shone in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this term, and he would be a serious upgrade on Vicario for many years to come.
Vicario sums up the mess Tottenham are in
For a time, Vicario seemed to be a good signing for Tottenham.
In his first season (2023-24) at the club, the £17.2m signing kept seven clean sheets in 38 Premier League games, and his goals prevented were at -0.3.
That improved to +0.6 the following season as Tottenham won the Europa League.
But this term, his confidence has seemingly gone off a cliff, with the keeper shipping 50 goals in 31 games.
He has made two errors that have led to a goal and has failed to keep out a number of efforts that should have been saved.
Vicario is a good player on his day, but he looks shot of confidence and belief, much like Tottenham this season.
When the chips were down, Vicario and his Spurs teammates were found wanting. Even if he keeps them up, a Tottenham transfer exit seems the right call.
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