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Liverpool will have their sights set on silverware in 2026, having recovered form under Arne Slot. Retaining the Premier League title may be difficult – Arsenal are ten points clear in first place, but there’s little question that the Reds stand a swinging chance in the Champions League and FA Cup.

To achieve their goals, the Anfield side might need to chop and change in the January transfer window, despite a record-breaking summer of spending that exceeded £400m.

FSG are nothing if not ambitious, but they can also be pragmatic, with the decision to press Ibrahima Konate for a new contract one which has divided the fanbase, and for good reason.

The latest on Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future

Konate has been among Liverpool’s poorest players this season. The centre-back has been a key player for Liverpool since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021, but it’s fair to say that he’s fallen by the wayside this year, so error-strewn and unsure of himself.

Liverpool’s need for a new defender is severe, and that’s without considering Konate, who has been terrible as he heads toward free agency.

All this being said, the France international has maintained fitness levels throughout the campaign – something that has proved difficult in the past – and he has enjoyed a noticeable uptick in form this month, crucial in establishing Liverpool’s stablised run of form.

Ibrahima Konate’s Premier League Career

Season

Apps

Minutes

25/26

17

1,431′

24/25

31

2,565′

23/24

22

1,573′

22/23

18

1,551′

21/22

11

990′

Data via Transfermarkt

FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes continue to engage with Konate in regard to a contract extension.

This is polarising, given his abject level for much of the term, but Virgil van Dijk isn’t getting any younger, and with Liverpool altogether lacking defensive depth, it’s understandable.

We will wait and see whether Liverpool tie the hulking defender down to a new and improved deal, but he’s not the only one facing an uncertain future at Anfield, with another Slot mainstay at risk of losing his job after a staggering decline this term.

The Liverpool mainstay who could be sold in 2026

Liverpool are a team in transition, with so many new parts redefining Slot’s system. It will take time for things to click together – the immensely talented Florian Wirtz is a case in point – but some changes to the central mainframe might be needed, with Alexis Mac Allister joining Konate in potentially leaving.

Mac Allister, it should be stressed, is a fantastic footballer, so important since joining from Brighton in 2023. However, he’s not dipped but plummeted from form, very much at the rotten core of Liverpool’s struggles throughout the campaign.

The drop-off has been shocking. Mac Allister is less mobile, less dynamic. He lacks his command and instinctiveness in the engine room, two key facets of a wide-ranging skillset.

Too often this season, Liverpool have been easily played through, carved open like a Christmas turkey, pulled apart like cheap crackers. Mac Allister’s struggle has been symptomatic of the wider tactical issue, with one content creator even remarking that he “looks like Fabinho in his final year” on Merseyside.

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Still, we all know what he’s capable of: be it show-stopping finishes, match-winning challenges, defence-splitting passes, Mac Allister has it within his locker, and he was singled out as a “superstar” by pundit Joe Cole for that very reason.

Should Liverpool decide to cash in on the South American in 2026, it would be a contentious decision, to be sure. But Mac Allister has been well below his own standards, and there’s no question that suitors are out there, even with Football Transfers valuing him at a whopping £103m.

With reports of interest from Real Madrid floating about this season, as had been the same with Konate before Los Blancos pulled the plug, FSG will have a tough decision on their hands before long.

Preliminary efforts to gauge Mac Allister’s stance have already begun, with his £150k-per-week contract into its third-to-last year. He is indeed a ‘superstar’ of a player, and he would fetch a pretty penny indeed, should Liverpool set their sights on a new midfield lieutenant.

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Jacques Kallis has been unable to carry his Test form to the ODIs © AFP

Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium provides one of the more festive cricket-watching experiences in Pakistan. With a capacity of 19,000 – packed even during bore run-fests such as the India-Pakistan 2006 Test – it is no heaving amphitheatre of sport, but its openness provides a delightful personal interaction with the contest.If you sit right, you can ask a fast bowler at the top of his run what he’ll bowl next; as a spectator you are expected to double as a fielder anywhere around the ground. The amusement park within the complex helps with the merriment. If the swing is timed right, the pirate ship should allow a decent if intermittent view of the game. Next door is an auditorium named after one of Faisalabad’s most famous product, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan; a stadium named after a poet and an auditorium next to it named after a means the venue must be one of the more artistically-inclined around the world.What happens on the field tomorrow, between South Africa and Pakistan, should add to the festivities. If we ignore last year’s ODI against West Indies (when Pakistan lost eight wickets chasing 152), the pitch is traditionally partial to runs. Mickey Arthur, South Africa’s coach, didn’t see anything in the 22-yard pale brown strip contrary to that belief. Add small boundaries and big hitters to the mix and a typically modern, run-heavy ODI awaits.”It looks like a very good deck. Much fresher than the last wicket we played on and we’re quite happy about that,” said Arthur. Criticising a pitch that produced over 500 runs and a century is a peculiarly contemporary condition but middle-overs spin, on a used surface, stumped South Africa as much as six wickets between two fast bowlers.But that has been South Africa’s only aberration through a commanding tour. And despite the loss, there remain few real concerns with morale or personnel. “We played really well through the tour and we had a little stutter at Lahore,” said Arthur. “We’ve set ourselves extremely high goals through this competition. We’ve set our team high standards and we need to maintain those standards. Lifting the boys after that loss will be no issue.”Arthur admitted, at a push, that only one position is under scrutiny, without revealing further, but also added, “we’ll probably given them a chance again.” Such is the mood that not even poor returns from Jacques Kallis and Justin Kemp (1 and 8 in the two ODIs) is a worry just yet. “I don’t foresee too many changes. We want to be pretty consistent. Our top order has been good. We didn’t get the start we wanted in Lahore. Everybody has performed their roles to their abilities.

Yasir Hameed is likely to replace Imran Nazir © AFP

“We’ve asked Kemp to bat at 5. It’s a role he knows and he can fulfill. He is wasted down the order as he gives us major impetus if he bats a long time. He’s done really well for us of late and we’re going to give him every opportunity to cement that position.”Despite levelling the series, a few issues remain to be resolved for Pakistan. From the top, Yasir Hameed is likely to replace Imran Nazir as a partner for Kamran Akmal, the third different combination in three matches. A more deserving change is hard to imagine: 41, 57, 71, 41, 10, 50 and 22 are Hameed’s last seven ODI innings (at number three admittedly) for Pakistan and yet, bewilderingly, the appearances are stretched out over 30 months.If picked, however, an opportunity presents itself for Pakistan are thinking long-term. “We have made so many changes because we have an important tour to India coming up,” said Shoaib Malik. “We are trying to find the right combination before then.”Apart from probably being without Mohammad Asif (he is to undergo a late fitness test), which is a sizeable headache, Pakistan’s other problem far predates the opening worry. As a unit, their ground fielding has been noticeably sharper but they dropped five catches in their win on Saturday.”Straight after we got here yesterday, we came and worked on our fielding,” Malik said. As well they should for winning games after fluffing that many chances happens about as often as a fair and free election in Pakistan.The series is now primed to tilt one or the other way; a win here could well be decisive with only two to play after it. “This is a vital match,” Malik acknowledged. “Whichever team wins it will take a definite edge for the remainder of the series.”Teams:
Pakistan (probable) Yasir Hameed, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan,Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Abdur Rehman, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Umar Gul.South Africa (probable) Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith (capt), Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher (wk), Shaun Pollock, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Makhaya Ntini, Charl Langeveldt.

Scorecard

Shane Harwood took his best first-class bowling figures of 6 for 51 © Getty Images

Shane Harwood and Mick Lewis justified Victoria’s decision to field first, taking all ten wickets between them and restricting New South Wales to 249. Brad Haddin and Grant Lambert had the Blues in a reasonable position at 5 for 247 before Lewis and Harwood skittled the tail, claiming 5 for 2 in the space of 14 balls.Harwood, who has missed matches this season with a strained buttock muscle, did the damage at the top of the order and finished with 6 for 51, his best first-class figures.Ed Cowan was unable to reproduce his century-making form from Sunday’s one-day game and was bowled by Harwood for 1. Phil Jaques (57) and Simon Katich (40) played well until Harwood removed them both in successive overs.Lewis (4 for 52), who has also been on the sidelines with a hip muscle injury, made the vital breakthroughs after Haddin and Lambert put on 105 for the sixth wicket. Haddin continued his fine year with 66 and Lambert, in his first game of the season, made 51. Victoria were 0 for 19 at stumps.

The Lions have a 236-run lead against the Cobras going into the final day in Johannesburg. Their position was built around an undefeated 136 seventh wicket partnership between Matthew Harris (83) and Eugene Moleon (51) to end the day on 262 for 6. Earlier Herschelle Gibbs set the Cobras up for a big total with 149, but the lack of partners saw them bowled out for 325. The Lions attack shared the spoils with Gerhard de Bruin taking 4 for 64.In Port Elizabeth the game is delicately poised with the Eagles taking a 106-run lead into the last day with seven wickets in hand. Replying to the Eagles first innings of 391 the Warriors reached 350 with Carl Bradfield top scoring on 86. A feature in the innings was the 50 extras given away by the Eagle bowlers. Roger Telemachus came out on top of the bowling, taking 6 for 85. The Eagles second innings did not start as planned with three wickets going down for 65.For the third day in a row bad light stopped play early in Durban with the Titans in a commanding position. Having bowled the Dolphins out for 199 they increased their lead to 321 with five second innings wickets standing. Andre Seymore, who fell nine runs short of a deserved hundred, set the innings up for the Titans. The Dolphins will do well to share the spoils in this encounter.

Sharad Ghai: announced tournaments and sponsor© Cricinfo

Recent claims by the Kenyan Cricket Association (KCA) that it had arranged tri-nation one-day tournaments for the next four years appear to be a triumph of hope over reality. An investigation by Cricinfo reveals that none of the overseas boards we asked have committed to participate.In November, Sharad Ghai, the KCA’s chairman, announced that the board had struck a deal with an unnamed American company to invest US$6 million (Sh486 million) to guarantee four home series between August2005 and November 2008. The tournaments would have involved each sideplaying each other three times, with the top two going through to afinal, a total of ten games.”Hosting these teams is impossible for the KCA given our financial position and that is why this arrangement with this company is very good for us because we cannot lose money,” Ghai explained. But critics were quick to point out that Ghai had declined to identify the company, raising concerns as to the strength of its commitment. It has still not been named.The weekend before last, Jasmer Singh, the KCA’s communications and publications manager, gave more information, explaining that the four tournaments would involve India, South Africa and Kenya in 2005; Australia, West Indies and Kenya in 2006; South Africa, Pakistan and Kenya in 2007; and England, Sri Lanka and Kenya in 2008.A spokesman for the South African board confirmed that the KCA had approached it to participate next year. “We have responded to them that we cannot play in the 2005 tournament due to a prior commitment,” he explained. “The 2007 tournament is being considered by the playing affairs department.” The Indian board was equally non committal. ‘Nothing has been finalised regarding the one-day tournament in Nairobi,” we were told by an official. “I can’t say anything at this stage.”The following year’s tournament looks equally doubtful, with Cricket Australia stating that it had “no commitment to play cricket in Nairobi in 2006,” and the West Indies board maintaining it had not received any approach. With regards to 2008, a spokesman for the England & Wales Cricket Board said quite firmly that “we haven’t agreed to participate,” and Sri Lanka Cricket said it knew nothing about the proposed games. A reply is still awaited from the Pakistan Cricket Board, but there have to be serious concerns asto the likelihood of any of the events happening.Without the cricket, there will almost certainly be no Americansponsor, and equally the players will grow increasingly frustrated. Atthe outset of the ongoing strike by Kenya’s leading cricketers, theywrote to Ochilo Ayacko, the minister for sport, highlighting theirgrievances. At the top of the list was “a lack of matches at theinternational level.” The letter added that it was “the duty of theKCA to organise such fixtures while all this time we had beenhoodwinked to believe it was the duty of the ICC.”Singh admitted that attracting sponsors was an ongoing problem, onenot helped by the walkout. But to attract sponsors, there have to bemore matches (Kenya’s next serious outing is not until June when theyplay Uganda in the Intercontinental Cup) and without the moneysponsorship brings, arranging games becomes that much harder.Cricinfo contacted the board, and a spokesman told us that ” at no stage has it been stated by KCA that the three-nation tournaments have been confirmed. We stated that these are the proposed schedule of tournaments, which will depend on how and when Test-playing countries can accommodate Kenya in the already clustered 10-year schedule. Some boards have already responded.”The countries are aware of this and are looking at the available proposed dates. Kenya has previously organised threeand four-nation tournaments involving all Test-playing countries on various occasions, most successfully. The proposed tournaments full costs have been underwritten by an American company. Therefore the tournaments will be self sufficient.”

Everyone’s taking a pop at county cricket at the moment, and now that old workaholic county-pro-made-good Alec Stewart has had his two-penn’orth.

Michael Atherton: man on a mission

Speaking after receiving a lifetime achievement award at last night’s Professional Cricketers Association dinner at the London Hilton, Stewart stressed the need for administrators to put the national side first, and insisted English-qualified players should be looked after first and foremost. Stewart said: “To me, the most important thing is that we produce the right number of international-class cricketers. Instead of having a bare 12, 13, 14, we’ve got to be producing 20. To do that, a lot of things need to be changed.”He continued: “We need to reduce the number of playing days and have more days when the players are able to practise and improve their skills. At the same time, I’d knock on the head the number of overseas players and EU passports that come into the game. I’d make sure that English cricketers, and English-qualified cricketers, are the ones who are looked after properly.”Stewart’s comments came in the wake of endless calls for a domestic shake-up from other high-profile names. In this month’s launch issue of Michael Vaughan laid down the law, and caused a stir, by saying that the amount of Championship cricket should be halved and played between Test matches. Meanwhile, Bob Willis has formed the Cricket Reform Group, a select band including another England captain in Michael Atherton, which has convened this season to discuss where English cricket has gone wrong, and what they can do about it.In The , Atherton wrote: “Few … would disagree that there are fundamental problems: that the England team are inconsistent and underachieving (for more decades than just one); that the amount of money spent on the county game is disproportionate to its popularity and effectiveness as a breeding ground.” And Athers, like others, suggested the same old remedy: “We would like to see a reduced county programme of fewer full-time professional teams – a concentration of the best English-qualified players to improve the standard of our first-class programme.”Atherton revealed that his suggestions were given short shrift by one or two cynics in the midst of England’s fifth-Test wonder win at The Oval. But he argued that English cricket was at its most complacent after a rousing win to end the summer. Derek Pringle, writing in The , wasn’t fooled either: “Behind the shop window, pessimism abounds as the county game tries to serve an ever-widening circle of masters on a dwindling budget.”In other words, they seemed to be saying, even though it has been an action-packed, exciting and sun-kissed season, underlying troubles are lurking just around the corner – namely financial ones. Pringle, splitting infinitives as deftly as he used to split the cover field, decreed: “What is certain is that no domestic game can properly flourish while trying to simultaneously meet the needs of broadcasters, Team England and county members, modest in number and financial clout though that last group are.” And the fact that wages are spiralling doesn’t help either. Surrey had to release Ian Ward and Alec Stewart because they couldn’t afford to pay them, and Essex dumped five players for the same reason.And then there’s the problem of EU players. “Apart from the extra cost, it mocks the efforts of those involved in youth development, though nearly every club are guilty,” said Pringle. As well as the 55 overseas players this season, another 29 were ineligible for England, playing here under European passports. That equals 84 players out of 379, or 22%.So is anything going to be done about it? The county chairmen are understandably opposed the idea of merging, while a reduction in fixtures would presumably lead to a reduction in gate receipts. Nothing can be done about EU passport-holders without infringing European law, and England’s fixture list next summer looks more like a four-month festival rather than an international schedule.David Morgan, the chairman of the ECB, and Tim Lamb, the chief executive, have agreed to meet with the Cricket Reform Group. Morgan has already made it clear that none of the 18 first-class counties will be axed, but he does concede that the amount of cricket could be cut. It will be interesting to see how that meeting goes, in the face of increasing calls for change.

Just three weeks ago, it seemed foolhardy to imagine that the Third Test between Australia and South Africa at theSydney Cricket Ground would be a dead rubber.Yet the world’s battle of the titans has become titanically disappointing. And, if the tourists fail to show some morestarch in this Test, then it’s close to a certainty that the impending return series in South Africa will be feted withnothing like the same hype.The South Africans arrived on Australian soil a month ago ready to make history. All evidence in a 246-run loss inAdelaide and a nine-wicket defeat in Melbourne, though, has been of a team that has doubted its own ability to doso.After two morale-sapping defeats, and amid a flurry of changes to the composition of the squad, urgent restoration oftheir reputation is required.How, then, to go about the task? The most obvious method lies in changes in personnel, and it’s already a guaranteethat there will be at least one alteration to the eleven that played in Melbourne. All-rounder Lance Klusener, at possiblythe lowest ebb in his 48-match Test career, has returned home to be with his pregnant wife and to be in a place wherehe can better repair flagging confidence.Jacques Rudolph, an exciting young left handed batsman and developing leg spinner, is accordingly almost certain tomake his Test debut. Rudolph, a 20-year-old from Northerns, has already won wide acclaim in South Africa with hisearly performances at first-class level; has looked solid in his two first-class appearances on this tour; and is unlikelyto let his team down.Having been called in on an urgent SOS mission from South Africa, left arm spinner Nicky Boje will also come stronglyinto contention for a spot in a re-jigged bowling line-up.Sydney was a happy hunting-ground eight years ago, yielding one of the country’s greatest-ever Test victories. And,though there’s nothing remotely pleasant in the return of bushfires across the New South Wales capital, the sight of apall of haze and smoke across the city’s skyline gives an eerily similar feel to the one that predominated back then.Then as now, temperatures have been in the mid to high 30s consistently over recent weeks.Even the pitch might carry something of a look of familiarity about it to those who remember that game. Just as it didthen, a well-grassed surface offers the suspicion that the quicker bowlers might be suited as much as the spinners thefurther the match progresses. Albeit that it’s difficult to envisage a pitch that won’t offer help to the slow men, it may notbe as conducive as has been widely assumed.The Australians haven’t had too much to worry themselves about lately, but the track’s complexion is such that it evenoffers them some selection headaches.Their 13-man squad needs to be pruned back by two within half an hour of the start of the play, and all indications arethat the decision might genuinely be left until as late as then. Fast bowlers Andy Bichel and Brad Williams are the menconsidered most likely to miss out but leg spinner Stuart MacGill’s place is also suddenly under question.MacGill is a world class bowler; the SCG is his home ground; and he has claimed 19 wickets in his two Tests at thevenue. But Bichel’s excellent performance in Melbourne and the visage of the pitch cast MacGill’s selection in doubt.Interestingly, first-choice Australian leg spinner Shane Warne – who has been one of the keys to Australia’s dominationof the series – has also been well below his best in the five previous Tests in which he and MacGill have been joined.That said, the Australians’ ability to work together as a team has been one of the hallmarks of their success in recenttimes. Whoever plays, whoever misses out, and whoever is forced to carry the (greater-than-normal number of) drinks,it doesn’t seem unreasonable to expect another highly efficient performance.They might be labelled as old, aging, and ready to cede to new blood. But, even as the calendar moves apace toanother year, the Australians only seem to be getting better with time.

A fine century by Rajeev Uniyal, followed by splendid bowling byYogesh Sachdeva and Vivek Khurana helped Delhi beat Himachal Pradeshby 24 runs after being forced to follow on the last day of the NorthZone Cooch Behar (Under-19) tournament at the Ferozshah Kotla Groundin New Delhi on Thursday. Delhi, who got eight points from this matchnext play Jammu & Kashmir at Jammu from Oct 22 to 24.Delhi were 246 for two overnight. Uniyal who was on 90 when he resumedduly completed his century. Shortly afterwards, he was out afterbatting 150 minutes. He faced 121 balls and hit eleven fours and asix. TT Dilip scored a fine 88 off 101 balls with the help of eightfours. Uniyal and Dilip added 129 runs for the third wicket off 22.5overs. Yashpal Singh slammed a breezy 33 off 32 balls and Delhi wereable to declare at 368 for nine, compiled off only 65 overs. ParasDogra with four for 80 was the most successful bowler.Delhi thus turned a first innings deficit of 160 into an overall leadof 208. Hemant Dogra, coming in at No three, hit a fine 58 to keepalive Himachal’s hopes of reaching the victory target. His youngerbrother Paras Dogra contributed 29. But the remaining batsmensuccumbed meekly to Yogesh Sachdeva (4 for 44) and Vivek Khurana (4for 63) and the side were all out for 184 in 49.5 overs.

ScorecardAfghanistan’s fairytale run of success finally crashed down to earth with a chastening four-wicket defeat to Canada in the second match of the series in Sharjah. They never recovered from a disastrous start that saw Khurram Chohan destroy the top order, leaving Afghanistan floundering at 4 for 3 by the third over, on his way to match-winning figures of 4 for 43.It was due reward for Chohan who’s four wickets in the opening fixture so nearly took Canada to victory. He started the day by claiming Shafiqullah Shafiq and last game’s centurion Mohammad Shahzad in his first over, before following it up with Nowroz Mangal and debutant Shabir Noori to leave Afghanistan 38 for 5 and in utter disarray.He was well supported by Rizwan Cheema and Umar Bhatti, who took two wickets each with their nagging seamers. It was only a 51-run sixth-wicket stand and Mohammad Nabi’s well-constructed 62 that gave Afghanistan any semblance of respectability. Nabi played in the way he does best, belting five sixes and three fours during his 57-ball stay. Dominating a last-wicket stand with Aftab Alam, the pair added 49 to take Afghanistan to 177.It didn’t look enough and despite being reduced to 35 for 2 after 10 overs Canada were careful not to undo their good work. Sandeep Jyoti and captain Ashish Bagai, who richly deserved a win after making an unbeaten 91 in the first game, worked the ball around nicely during an 82-run stand that all but sealed the game. Jyoti made a patient 38 before he fell to Aftab Alam, while Bagai continued his good form striking five boundaries during his 59-ball 52.Nabi threatened to cause a late scare when he took two wickets in the 35th over, reducing Canada to 144 for 6, still 34 runs short of the target, but Jawad Dawood came out and immediately arrested the momentum and any hopes of a fightback. He crashed 25 from 19 balls to give Canada their first win of the series.

Tottenham have held loose talks over signing a ‘strong’ Man City player amid concerns over one of their most selected players, according to a new report this week.

Tottenham set for active January transfer window

As already confirmed by under-fire boss Thomas Frank, Spurs are set for an active January.

Co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, who were newly announced in the dual role earlier this season, are also set for their first transfer window officially working in unison, and it could be a crucial one.

Pressure is mounting on Frank after a dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, and sections of supporters are convinced that the Dane isn’t the right man to take them forward in this new era post-Daniel Levy.

Reports suggest that Tottenham will look to back Frank with a new forward signing next month to alleviate the burden on Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus as their arguable two most important creators.

Dejan Kulusevski isn’t expected back any time soon, with Sweden boss Graham Potter predicting a March return for the winger and hopefully in time for their World Cup play-off against Ukraine.

Meanwhile, James Maddison is still undergoing his long-winded rehab from an ACL injury sustained in pre-season, so he could be out until nearer the end of 2025/2026.

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Bringing in an alternative winger may well be crucial, with Fabrizio Romano reporting this week that Tottenham are aggressively pursuing Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo after news of his £65 million release clause.

Meanwhile, an attacker might not be the only item on Paratici and Lange’s agenda, with ‘growing concerns’ surrounding goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario following a litany of high-profile errors this season.

That is according to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, who report that Frank’s side are also in the market for a new shot-stopper.

Tottenham hold loose talks to sign Man City keeper James Trafford

As per their information, Tottenham have held exploratory talks over Man City goalkeeper James Trafford as Frank prepares to address worries about Vicario ahead of January.

The 23-year-old has emerged as a priority target for Spurs, who believe the young Englishman represents an ideal foundation for their goalkeeping position moving forward.

Trafford rejoined City in the summer following his impressive Championship campaign with Burnley, yet finds himself trapped behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order at the Etihad.

City are understood to be receptive toward allowing Trafford’s exit to facilitate his development, with early conversations surrounding a temporary deal including a mandatory buy clause.

However, Pep Guardiola has already indicated his preference to keep the goalkeeper until the end of the season, though Trafford himself is pushing for regular action elsewhere.

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Guardiola lavished praise on Trafford as a ‘strong’ character with a ‘big personality’ too, right after Tottenham upset City at Eastlands back in August.

This comes as Frank weighs up a potential replacement for Vicario, who’s been linked with a return to Italy with Inter Milan next year.

Trafford’s age and high ceiling make him an attractive proposition for Frank’s rebuild.

The England prospect combines senior experience with untapped potential for growth. His stature, shot-stopping credentials and comfortable distribution would also address Vicario’s deficiencies.

A structured loan would also give Tottenham financial flexibility, while evaluating whether Trafford can really handle the pressure at a top club challenging for European qualification and silverware.

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