The hierarchy at Manchester City are currently working on their goalkeeper situation.
Despite the uncertainty around the position heading into the FIFA Club World Cup, there was always the possibility that the Manchester club would lose Ederson before the 2025/26 campaign got underway, and that is the situation that has played out.
Galatasaray have agreed personal terms with Ederson, but the Turkish club are yet to reach an agreement with Man City over a transfer fee, which seems only a matter of time.
Should the Brazilian end his eight-year stay at the Etihad Stadium, Man City will move for Burnley’s James Trafford, and the Manchester club have found out when they could have a deal done by.
Man City could have James Trafford deal done within two weeks
Trafford has already decided to play for Man City over Newcastle, as everyone seems aligned on what they want to happen over the coming days.
It seems only a matter of time before Trafford becomes a new member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, and according to Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall, the transfer could be completed within a week or two, but it does depend on what happens with Ederson.
“I think I mentioned that piece this morning, they [Burnley] don’t want Ortega. I think they were offered Dubravka by Newcastle as well, and don’t want him. They kind of want a clean sale and then assess the goalkeeper market,” Marshall said on Talking City – Manchester City Podcast.
“But to do that, they need to sell Trafford within the next week or two, probably, because like you say, the season starts in three and a bit weeks now.
“So the clock is ticking. And in that story this morning, I mentioned that City have got basically a matching clause, I suppose you’d call it, that if Newcastle have a bid accepted, Burnley have to tell City and City have got three days to match it.”
The main issue for Man City will be Trafford’s £40m transfer fee, but Marshall also expects the Premier League giants to find a way around it.
- READ MORE: Pep Guardiola has already teased James Trafford in training as Manchester City target £40m reunion
Man City could sign James Trafford for less than £40m
Man City have a buy-back clause in Trafford’s Burnley contract set at £40m after the Manchester club sold the goalkeeper to the Clarets in 2023; however, the Citizens are trying to find a way to get that lowered, and Marshall thinks they will be successful.
“I get the impression that they could get him for under £40m,” the MEN journalist stated. “And even if he has a season at City and doesn’t quite make the grade, I think they’d still probably sell him in a year for a decent fee to another Premier League club.
“But I think there’s a good chance he does make it. I think there’s a real belief in his ability. He knows what City want from goalkeepers.
“He’s got a really good relationship with Xabier Mancisidor, the goalkeeping coach. So I think it takes a lot of boxes.”
After selling Kyle Walker to Burnley for a small fee, Man City have a good relationship with the Clarets; therefore, it would not be a surprise to see Trafford move to the Etihad Stadium for less than the price in his contract.
