I can think of a number of entertaining puns if the 22-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford did not grow up at Manchester City, but Manchester United.
Manchester City have contacted Burnley to discuss the possibility of bringing back James Trafford.
Read: Signing for Leeds, ending an 18-year relationship with Newcastle
The 22-year-old goalkeeper belonged to City for eight years from 2015 to 2023, but never made his first-team debut for “The Citizens”. He was loaned out to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers before a permanent move to Burnley.
Burnley paid £15 million for Trafford two years ago, and the investment has undoubtedly paid off. The English goalkeeper won the Championship Golden Glove with an impressive 29 games without conceding a goal last season.
Trafford conceded just 16 goals in 46 games as Burnley secured second place with 100 points, only losing the league title due to a worse goal difference compared to Leeds United.
Now, however, Trafford only has two years left on his contract at Burnley, and a move to Newcastle United has long been linked with the former Under-21 Euro winner.
Man City’s £40 million plan revealed
Newcastle’s plans could now be thwarted, as Fabrizio Romano reports that Man City have initiated talks with Burnley over a possible return for their former academy player.
City included a £40 million clause in Trafford’s Burnley contract that gives them the right of first refusal, potentially complicating Newcastle’s plans.
Romano adds, however, that City want to negotiate a lower sum than the £40 million, and Burnley are not in a strong negotiating position as Trafford now have just two years left on their contract.
The 22-year-old has kept a clean sheet in 31 of a total of 73 appearances for Burnley across all competitions, but managed just two clean sheets in the Premier League 2023/24 season on his way to relegation.
The transition depends on someone leaving
A return to the Etihad will not be without its problems for Trafford, as Romano states that he will only be able to return if one or both of Ederson and Stefan Ortega leave the club.
Pep Guardiola’s first goalkeeper and reserve goalkeeper both have contracts that expire in 12 months. Ederson in particular has a lot of interest from clubs all over the world.
The Brazilian international goalkeeper has reportedly been the subject of a £2.6 million bid from a Turkish club, while two Saudi Arabian giants are also interested.
Ortega’s long-term future is also uncertain. But City have already strengthened their goalkeeping squad this summer with the signing of Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea as a replacement for Scott Carson.
Read: Manchester United have booked a doctor’s appointment for Bryan Mbeumo and are taking the final ‘formal step’ for the giant transfer
