Man City transfer news: James Trafford stance becomes clear as Newcastle’s ‘comfortable’ decision provides boost for Pep Guardiola

Manchester City have seemingly been given hope in their quest to re-sign goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley this summer.

The Citizens are understood to have touched base with the Clarets to discuss the possibility of bringing the highly-rated 22-year-old back to the Etihad Stadium where he was on the books between 2015 and 2023.

Trafford never made a single senior appearance for Man City in that time and was instead loaned out to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers before securing a £15m move to Burnley, where he has since elevated his game to new heights.

Burnley clinched second place with 100 points to secure promotion from the Championship last season and their impressive campaign was built on the foundations of a rock solid defence, with Trafford conceding a league-low 16 goals and keeping a league-high 29 clean sheets in 45 games to claim the Golden Glove.

Trafford’s rise began when he inspired England to glory at the Under-21 European Championship in 2023 and he has since established himself as one of the brightest young goalkeepers in the country during his time at Burnley.

Newcastle to pull out of Trafford race as Man City consider Ederson sale

With two years remaining on his contract at Turf Moor, Trafford has been tipped to move to a bigger club this summer, but he wants to play regularly to give himself the best possible chance of being selected in Thomas Tuchel’s England senior squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Trafford has been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle throughout this summer, but the Daily Mail claims that the Magpies are now prepared to move on from their interest in the shot-stopper as they are still yet to agree a deal with Burnley.

While Man City’s interest in Trafford is said to have also complicated matters, Newcastle are now believed to be comfortable with their current goalkeeper situation, with head coach Eddie Howe having Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos at his disposal.

Newcastle's confidence in striking a deal to sign Trafford is said to have become ‘less positive’ than it once was, and their decision to step away from the race for his signature has seemingly given Man City a free run at re-signing their academy graduate.

Man City’s interest in Trafford comes at a time when current first-choice shot-stopper Ederson has been linked with a potential move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, who have allegedly tabled a £2.6m bid for the 31-year-old.

Saudi Pro League duo Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are also interested in signing Ederson, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Etihad and could be tempted by an exit, despite stating earlier this summer that he intends to stay at Man City.

Trafford has firm belief that he will play for Man City in the future

Should Man City agree to sell Ederson this summer, Pep Guardiola’s side are expected to push for the signing of Trafford, who has previously made his intentions clear on representing the Citizens at first-team level in the future.

Speaking to The Bolton News following his spell on loan at Bolton and after helping England to Euro Under-21 glory in 2023, Trafford said: “I have very high expectations of my ability.

“From the start of my men’s career when I played at Accrington, I told people I’d play for England, play for [Man] City.

“The people around me believe in me and I still completely believe I will. It is clearer to bystanders now that it is going to happen.”

Trafford’s potential arrival at Man City would help the club in their bid to comply with homegrown quota rules for next season, while it has also been reported that Burnley could target City’s No.2 goalkeeper Stefan Ortega as a direct replacement.

Written by
Oliver Thomas