Manchester City are preparing for the summer transfer window by looking down the division system. The club is reportedly in the race for one of League One’s best goalkeepers.
City gave manager Pep Guardiola a brilliant farewell in Manchester on Monday. Now, the club is facing the realities of the challenge he leaves behind – after a decade of near-complete dominance at the Etihad Stadium.
Read: Inter Milan confirm big interest in Liverpool player they wanted as early as January
After losing their seventh Premier League title under the Catalan, City will be working to get back to the top of the table. The effort starts with a new manager – presumably former Chelsea and Leicester boss Enzo Maresca – but things are also happening on the transfer front.
Wants to bring in goalkeeper from Sheffield Wednesday
The summer transfer window is City’s opportunity to give Maresca the tools he needs to seriously pursue the title. One of the club’s first reported goals is a name that will be familiar not only to City supporters, but also to fans of clubs in the Championship.
Sheffield Wednesday were relegated from level two with several months left of the 2025/26 season. Manager Henrik Pederson had to deal with an 18-point deduction due to financial irregularities under hated former owner Dejphon Chansiri. The Owls finished the season with zero points.
Pierce Charles – back on the radar of old clubs
Despite losing 32 of his 46 Championship games, Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles has received praise on both sides of the shoulder surgery that took a large chunk of his season.
The 20-year-old is a former City academy player from Mancunia. He left for Hillsborough in 2021 and has only played 36 senior games. Now he will be back on the radar of his old club.
“Manchester City are considering re-signing Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles,” reports talkSPORT correspondent Alex Crook.
Read on F7: Emotionless supercomputer agrees with all of Norway – ranks the Norwegian national team among the top 10 in the World Cup!
Why City are chasing a goalkeeper
The possible hunt is linked to the probable departure of James Trafford. Charles has apparently been designated as a reserve for 27-year-old Donnarumma, while Trafford himself are chasing first-team football – something he probably thought was in the cards when he himself returned to the Etihad last summer.
Charles made 19 appearances for the Owls in the Championship this season. He conceded almost two goals per game, despite his own good efforts. In fact, he had more saves per 90 minutes than all goalkeepers in the division – except one.
Rangers also interested
Charles has played ten caps for Northern Ireland. According to Crook, the Rangers are also interested in the 20-year-old.
