Details of Manchester City’s dramatic hijack of Newcastle United deal for James Trafford revealed | OneFootball

Manchester City invoked a ‘matching clause’ in the contract of James Trafford at Burnley with just one hour remaining on the terms, new reports have detailed.

Trafford, who left City for Turf Moor in 2023, had caught the attention of multiple Premier League clubs despite a turbulent first season in the top-flight with Vincent Kompany’s side that resulted in relegation, only for an immediate return last campaign.

However, it is now Manchester City who have pulled off a somewhat surprising move, acting decisively to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium in a late twist that has reshaped their goalkeeping plans ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

City officials, having monitored Trafford closely since his departure, were not initially planning to re-sign the player this summer. However, with uncertainty surrounding Stefan Ortega’s long-term future, the Premier League giants moved swiftly once Newcastle formalised their interest.

Having inserted a matching clause in Trafford’s Burnley deal upon his sale in 2023, City held the contractual right to match any accepted bid from another club – and that clause was activated in dramatic fashion.

City’s intent has always been to stay one step ahead in their planning, and Trafford’s return appears to reflect a clear strategy for life beyond Ederson. With the Brazilian now expected to remain at the Etihad for the coming season, Trafford will begin his second City spell in a support role.

However, the club expect the 22-year-old to compete aggressively and potentially step into the number one role in the medium term, especially as Ederson’s current deal enters its final 12 months.

According to the information of MailSport’s Craig Hope, officials at Manchester City invoked their ‘matching clause’ to sign James Trafford just one hour before its deadline after Newcastle United had come to the table with a £27 million bid for the goalkeeper.

It is further detailed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein that Newcastle had chance to sign Trafford before the summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, at a time when City were not considering a move, but their offer was too low.

By the time Newcastle’s bid was raised for the 22-year-old, it is said that Manchester City had already arrived themselves and convinced James Trafford of a move back to the club he graduated as an Academy prospect in 2023 by moving to Burnley.

According to Sky Sports News, City’s deal with Burnley for James Trafford was originally worth around £31 million plus add-ons, but that price was reduced due to a sell-on clause City had inserted into the player’s contract when he was sold to Turf Moor.

Trafford is now due to complete his City medical early next week, with the majority of assessments scheduled for Monday. Should all go as planned, the move will be finalised soon after, allowing the Englishman to join Pep Guardiola’s pre-season training sessions ahead of the club’s only friendly fixture against Palermo on Saturday 9 August.

The deal is also significant from a financial perspective. Thanks to their cleverly structured sell-on clause, City have managed to reduce the overall cost of the deal while beating a top-six rival to a highly-rated goalkeeper. Trafford is set to sign a five-year contract with an option for an additional season, with the club viewing him as a long-term successor to Ederson.

Looking ahead, Trafford’s presence adds greater flexibility and competition in City’s goalkeeping department. While Stefan Ortega’s future remains uncertain – with interest in the German keeper active – Trafford is well-placed to challenge and learn under Pep Guardiola, with a realistic pathway to becoming the club’s first-choice goalkeeper as soon as 2026.