Manchester City are closing in on signing James Trafford from Burnley and he will become one of the most expensive goalkeepers ever.
The transfer window has grown quiet for Manchester City after they got most of their business done early with the major additions of Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait Nouri.
However, James Trafford will soon become the sixth signing of the summer after City activated a clause to buy him for £27m.
Trafford had seemed set to sign for Newcastle United, who had their own £27m bid accepted, but under the terms of City selling Trafford to Burnley in 2023, they had the right to match the offer.
The Blues did just that and Trafford has jumped at the chance to return to the Etihad Stadium.
With the signing all but set in stone, this is where Trafford will rank among the most expensive goalkeepers ever.
The 20 most expensive goalkeeper transfers ever
City will pay £27m for Trafford, though £14m of that fee is negated by the money they received from Burnley for the shot-stopper two years ago.
Yet, the transfer will still go down on paper as a £27m move, which will make Trafford the joint 10th most expensive goalkeeper of all time.
Here’s the top 20:
- Kepa Arrizabalaga – £71.6m – Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea, August 2018
- Alisson – £67m – Roma to Liverpool, July 2018
- Andre Onana – £43.9m – Inter to Man Utd, July 2023
- Thibaut Courtois – £35m – Chelsea to Real Madrid, August 2018
- Ederson – £34.7m – Benfica to Manchester City, June 2017
- Gianluigi Buffon – £32.6m- Parma to Juventus, July 2001
- Jasper Cillessen – £31.4m – Barcelona to Valencia, June 2019
- Jordan Pickford – £30m – Sunderland to Everton, June 2017
- Aaron Ramsdale – £30m – Sheffield United to Arsenal, August 2021
- James Trafford – £27m – Burnley to Manchester City, July 2025, and David Raya – £27m – Brentford to Arsenal, July 2024
- Alex Meret – £26.25m – Udinese to Napoli, July 2018
- Giorgi Mamardashvili – £25m – Valencia to Liverpool, August 2024
- Manuel Neuer – £24.3m – Schalke to Bayern Munich, June 2011
- Francesco Toldo – £23.85m – Fiorentina to Inter, July 2001
- Neto – £23.3m – Valencia to Barcelona, June 2019
- Bernd Leno – £22.3m – Bayer Leverkusen to Arsenal, June 2018
- Djordje Petrovic – £22m – Chelsea to Bournemouth, July 2025
- Djordje Petrovic – £22m – Chelsea to Bournemouth, July 2025
- Joan Garcia – £21.3m – Espanyol to Barcelona, June 2025
- Pau Lopez – £21m – Real Betis to Roma, July 2019
Even if City haven’t actually paid £27m, that’s still a big price tag for a goalkeeper and Trafford will have a big task in living up to it.
Can James Trafford live up to his Manchester City price tag?
Trafford’s stock, as well as his confidence, couldn’t be higher after the season he has just enjoyed at Burnley.
The Clarets missed out on the Championship trophy on goal difference as they became the first side ever to reach 100 points but not win the title, finishing second to Leeds United.
Trafford played a massive role in the success of Scott Parker’s side, which was built upon remarkable defensive solidity in preparation for promotion.
Burnley conceded just 16 goals all season, absolutely smashing the previous record of 29.
Trafford himself kept 29 clean sheets in the process, which is a joint record across all four divisions of the football league.
However, big question marks do remain over Trafford given his difficulties in his first Premier League season with Burnley.
The 22-year-old had jumped up from League One, after a successful loan stint at Bolton Wanderers, to the top flight and struggled to be as good on the ball when under much more intense pressure.
Trafford shipped 62 goals in 28 games, keeping just two clean sheets, before losing his place in the side.
He will obviously have a much better defence ahead of him at City, but he still has a point to prove.
It will help that Ederson is staying and Trafford will spend his first season back under his wing, preparing to take the No.1 spot next year.
