Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford

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Manchester City to re-sign former youth academy goalkeeper James Trafford

Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.

The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.

Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.

As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.

According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.

The Blues put a buy-back clause in the deal for his move to the Clarets when he was sold just a couple of summers ago.

Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.

Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.

Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.

Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”

Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.

Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.

It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.

The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?

Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.

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Featured Images — Burnley FC/Fozcast (screenshots via YouTube)