James Trafford accepts Manchester City move pending Burnley agreement | OneFootball

Manchester City have edged a small step closer to signing a new goalkeeper this summer with James Trafford accepting of a move back to the Etihad Stadium.

The reigning Premier League giants continue to work behind the scenes on strengthening their goalkeeping options this summer amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of Ederson and Stefan Ortega Moreno.

While neither departure has been finalised, Manchester City are preparing their shortlist and beginning proactive discussions with possible targets – with a familiar name now pushing to return.

James Trafford’s potential return to the Etihad Stadium comes just two years on from joining Burnley in a deal worth up to £19 million, making the switch in search of a new permanent home away from Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

Despite being highly rated by coaches at City, Trafford opted for guaranteed minutes under Vincent Kompany. However, matters at the Etihad have seemingly accelerated the possibility of a swift reunion.

Pep Guardiola and his backroom team are long-time admirers of Trafford, who boasts a natural shot-stopping ability. With the goalkeeper now more experienced in top-level conditions and still only 22, City may consider him a reliable long-term option should a senior keeper exit.

Now, according to the information of journalist Fabrizio Romano, James Trafford himself has accepted a return to Manchester City this summer should the club manage to reach an agreement with Turf Moor officials on a transfer fee.

The City Football Academy graduate is said to be personally keen on a move back to the Etihad Stadium, while Manchester City officials remain in talks with Burnley over the possibility of reducing their £40 million buy back clause.

The entire deal is also said to still depend on whether Manchester City offload either of their two mainstay goalkeepers in Ederson and Stefan Ortega Moreno, with the former attracting interest from Galatasaray.

City’s efforts to bring back James Trafford are part of a broader strategic recalibration of their goalkeeping department. With Ederson drawing interest from Turkey, and Ortega Moreno perhaps eyeing a move where he can operate as a guaranteed No. 1, the next few weeks could see significant movement.

While Trafford may not walk straight into the starting eleven at present, Manchester City could believe that the foundations are there for him to develop into a key figure over the coming years – particularly if Ederson departs and Ortega Moreno chooses to remain.

City will attempt to negotiate their £40 million clause down to a more favourable fee, possibly by inserting future add-ons or a sell-on percentage to sweeten the deal for their counterparts at the Lancashire club.

With James Trafford himself already on board and enthusiastic about the move, the final decision could now rest on Manchester City’s wider goalkeeper dominoes – with Ederson’s outcome potentially defining how quickly a transfer for Trafford progresses.