Manchester City have all but sealed the signing of James Trafford from Burnley, but they let the move go down to the wire.
The sixth new arrival of the summer transfer window will soon land at Manchester City, with James Trafford set to return to the club from Burnley.
Trafford is heading back to the Etihad Stadium two years on from his departure to shake up Pep Guardiola’s goalkeeping department.
Though Ederson is staying at City and expected to remain as No.1, Trafford will be coming in as direct competition rather than a clear second choice like Stefan Ortega.
If Ederson’s admitted troubles of last season continue into the next, then he could quickly lose his place to the new arrival.
Though City have all but signed Trafford, it’s been revealed that they came within an hour of missing out on him.
Manchester City nearly missed out on James Trafford signing
City have managed to sign Trafford thanks to clever foresight and a big slice of luck.
When selling Trafford to Burnley in 2023, the club inserted a buy-back clause in the deal, which included the right for City to match any bid the Clarets accepted for the goalkeeper.
When Newcastle finally met Burnley’s asking price and had a £27m bid accepted, the Blues were given the opportunity to equal it.
They have done so but, according to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, they only did so with one hour remaining before the deadline on the clause.
It’s added that once City made it clear they wanted him, Trafford was only ever heading to Manchester.
While City’s habit of inserting buy-back clauses into the sales of talented youngsters remains clever planning, they also got very fortunate that Newcastle didn’t complete the deal before them.
Trafford had seemed destined to sign for Newcastle, who had made him their top target from the start of the window.
However, when the door was open to make the signing in June, when City weren’t considering signing a goalkeeper, Newcastle dithered over the price.
That hesitancy has now cost them and added further misery to an atrocious window.
James Trafford’s role at Manchester City revealed
Though Trafford has cost £27m, the fee goes down considerably when you take into account the £14m City sold him for just two years ago.
Still, if most clubs spent such a big fee on the goalkeeper, there would be no doubt over him being the new No.1.
Yet, that doesn’t appear to be the case for Trafford, who is likely returning to initially playing second fiddle to Ederson for at least a season.
According to insiders @TheSecretScout_ on X, Trafford ‘knows’ he won’t be No.1 immediately but is still making the switch.
It’s actually a smart succession plan for City, to replace one of their most integral players in Ederson while he’s still at the club.
Trafford can learn (once again) from the Brazilian and play in cup matches to grow familiar with Guardiola’s demands before taking the reins in a year when Ederson’s contract expires.
All the while, Trafford can give Ederson serious competition to spur him on and keep his own levels high.
It’s win-win for everyone aside from Newcastle, who lose again.
