MAN CITY WIN TRAFFORD TRANSFER RACE! PEP'S SIDE RE-SIGN KEEPER FOR CUT-PRICE £40M AFTER NEWCASTLE DEFEAT
Manchester City have secured the return of James Trafford, beating out Newcastle United in the race to sign the talented goalkeeper from Burnley, as Pep Guardiola prepares for potential changes in his goalkeeping department.
The 22-year-old shot-stopper, a former City academy product, rejoins the Premier League champions in a deal believed to be worth less than the original £40 million ($53.8m) buy-back clause, marking a smart piece of business by the City hierarchy. The agreement was reached following swift negotiations with Burnley, who had initially acquired Trafford just a year earlier.
Trafford’s return comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the future of Ederson, who has reportedly drawn interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. With Stefan Ortega also attracting suitors and entering the final year of his contract, City are reshaping their options between the posts for the 2025/26 season.
Having impressed with England’s U21s and shown glimpses of elite-level composure and reflexes at Burnley, Trafford is seen as a long-term successor to Ederson. His command of the box, comfort in possession, and ability to play out from the back make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s system — and his homegrown status is an added bonus under squad registration rules.
Sources close to the club indicate that Trafford will compete for the No. 1 role during preseason, depending on the outcome of potential departures. Guardiola is known to value goalkeepers with technical quality and mental resilience, both of which Trafford has shown in abundance during his rapid development.
For Burnley, the sale represents a solid return on investment after a difficult season that saw the club relegated from the top flight. And for Trafford, the move marks a full-circle moment — from academy hopeful to first-team contender at one of the most dominant clubs in Europe.
City are expected to officially unveil Trafford in the coming days, with the goalkeeper set to join up with the squad ahead of their preseason tour.
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