Revealed: Manchester City have third secret clause in James Trafford’s Burnley contract | OneFootball

Manchester City’s hopes of signing Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford have only further been boosted by the reveal of a third favourable clause in his contract.

Trafford has been on the radar of top Premier League clubs throughout the summer, with his development at Burnley and standout displays across last season’s Championship campaign only elevating his profile further.

The 22-year-old joined the Clarets from Manchester City in 2023 in a deal worth up to £19 million, but his long-term future has never felt completely detached from the Etihad Stadium, largely due to contractual clauses embedded into his Burnley deal by Etihad officials.

City’s interest in a potential reunion has only intensified in recent weeks as the club assesses its goalkeeper options amid uncertainty over the future of both first-team shot-stoppers, Ederson and Stefan Ortega.

Trafford, who is highly regarded internally at Manchester City and remains on excellent terms with staff, is seen as a viable long-term solution, especially given his experience within the club’s system and his English homegrown status.

While Trafford endured a mixed debut Premier League campaign in 2023/24, his stock remains high particularly among clubs looking for a progressive, distribution-focused goalkeeper. Newcastle United in particular view him as a long-term replacement for Nick Pope.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall, Newcastle have already had at least two bids for James Trafford rejected by Burnley, but are still keen to try and sign the goalkeeper.

From Manchester City’s side, not only do Etihad officials have a buy-back option at £40 million and a sell-on clause, they also have the option to match any bid that Burnley do ultimately accept for Trafford.

As such, should Newcastle bosses hit Burnley’s asking price for the goalkeeper this summer, then the Clarets would have to inform Manchester City, who would then have three days to match it. Should they do so, it is further insisted that Trafford would favour a return to City.

This latest revelation adds another strategic advantage to City’s stance, with the club now in possession of three separate contractual clauses that could pave the way for a return. The matching offer clause is particularly significant, giving City leverage against competition.

Should Newcastle return with an improved proposal and reach Burnley’s asking price, City will be given a clear window of opportunity to act – a process that could unfold swiftly given Trafford’s openness to a return.

Much now depends on how quickly Manchester City move in other areas; Ederson remains the subject of interest from Galatasaray, while Stefan Ortega – also into the final year of his contract – has attracted outside attention too, albeit not from Burnley as was once suggested.

With pre-season set to get underway for Pep Guardiola’s side in the coming days and competitive fixtures fast approaching, the club’s goalkeeping puzzle remains unsolved. But thanks to smart business in past negotiations, they may now have a cleaner, more cost-effective route to a familiar face should they need to act.