Fakayejo Paul
Manchester, UK – Promising English goalkeeper James Trafford is undergoing the main part of his medical tests at Manchester City today, as his highly anticipated return to the Etihad Stadium moves closer to completion.
The move, reportedly agreed last week for a fixed fee of £27 million with Burnley, marks a significant reinforcement for Pep Guardiola’s squad.
As exclusively revealed previously, City swiftly moved to re-sign their former academy product after activating a ‘matching clause’ in his Burnley contract.
This allowed them to match a £27 million offer from Newcastle United, who had been heavily pursuing Trafford for months.
Despite Newcastle’s interest and even prior verbal agreements, Trafford ultimately opted for a return to his boyhood club, swayed by Pep Guardiola’s personal desire to bring him back.
Trafford, 22, enjoyed a superb season with Burnley, showcasing his talent and earning recognition as one of England’s bright goalkeeping prospects.
His performances at Turf Moor, including a record-breaking clean sheet run in the Championship, caught the eye of top clubs.
His return is seen as a strategic long-term move by Manchester City. While Ederson is expected to remain the undisputed number one for the upcoming season, Trafford is viewed as the ideal candidate to eventually take over the reins, especially with Ederson’s contract expiring next summer and current backup Stefan Ortega also seeking a move for regular first-team football.
With the medical tests underway and a verbal agreement in place for a five-year contract (with an option for a further 12 months), an official announcement from Manchester City is expected very soon.
This signing adds another layer of quality and future planning to City’s squad as they prepare for the new campaign.