Manchester City are now in the closing stages of their deal for Burnley’s James Trafford, with a medical said to be imminent.
The Citizens have agreed a fee with Burnley for Trafford, who will be returning to the Etihad Stadium after two years at Turf Moor.
Manchester City’s goalkeeping situation wasn’t the best last season, with neither Ederson nor Stefan Ortega fully convincing.
Now, the Citizens are set to bring in a young and incredibly talented goalkeeper who will be eager to take the first-choice spot off Ederson.
David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano have both posted updates regarding the latest developments in the saga.
James Trafford fee said to break British goalkeeper record fee as medical scheduled for Monday
On Saturday afternoon, Ornstein reported in The Athletic that City were previously not in for Trafford, but changed their stance in recent weeks.
The Citizens reportedly matched a Newcastle offer of £27million with Trafford agreeing a five-year deal, plus the option of a further 12 months, to return to the Etihad.
Ornstein also reported that the total package is ‘understood to be worth what would represent a record fee for a British goalkeeper.’
The package City have put together is believed to surpass the £30million that Everton paid Sunderland to sign Jordan Pickford in 2017.
Meanwhile, Romano reported on X that City have their plan in place for Trafford to complete his move to the club.
Trafford’s medical is reportedly scheduled for Monday before signing a five-year deal with the Citizens.
Ortega is expected to make way as Trafford comes in, with Ederson set to stay at City.
Cole Palmer recognised James Trafford’s talent early on
City are set to get themselves a player who former teammate Cole Palmer lauded just a few years ago.
“He’s so good. Even in training he’s so hard to score past,” the Chelsea star said in 2023, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“I first met him at under 12s. When he first came, everyone was thinking: ‘Who’s this kid?’.
“He came from Carlisle and as time went on everyone was looking at each other like: ‘Wow’.
“I always say to him, even when we were little, that he is going to be world class.
“I don’t think everyone has seen it yet and this tournament he is showing it now.
“I already knew how good he was, and I am just glad everyone is seeing it.”
