Manchester City set to break transfer record with James Trafford deal | OneFootball

A new transfer record is due to be set by Manchester City in the coming days as they finalise an agreement for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

The 22-year-old has been the subject of increasing speculation in recent weeks, with Pep Guardiola’s side actively seeking to bolster their goalkeeping department ahead of the 2025/26 season.

With Ederson’s future remaining uncertain amid sustained and confirmed interest from Galatasaray, James Trafford’s arrival marks a potential changing of the guard between the sticks at the Etihad Stadium.

Trafford, who came through Manchester City’s academy system before being sold to Burnley in 2023, has long been earmarked as one of England’s brightest young talents in goal, while his performances at the 2023 UEFA Under-21 European Championship – where he played a starring role in England’s title win – elevated his status.

Despite a turbulent first season with Burnley that ended in relegation, Trafford remained highly regarded for his composure, distribution, and ability in one-on-one situations, and interest only heightened following their immediate return to the Premier League last season.

Trafford’s qualities closely align with what Manchester City demand from goalkeepers, and his previous ties to the club – along with his technical profile – made him a standout candidate during City’s ongoing summer recruitment strategy.

Now, according to David Ornstein – issuing a fresh update on the deal with The Athletic – the total package of the transfer to Burnley is worth a new record fee for a British goalkeeper, surpassing the £30 million paid by Everton to Sunderland for Jordan Pickford in 2017.

It is revealed that Newcastle United officials had also reached the same ballpark figure, but it was decided James Trafford would join Manchester City and return to the club who developed him through their Academy structure.

The move also reflects City’s long-term planning, as doubts persist over Ederson’s status. The Brazilian, who joined in 2017, is under contract until the end of the 2025/26 campaign but has been the subject of serious interest for a second successive summer.

Stefan Ortega, while valued internally and proven across key moments in recent campaigns, has made clear he does not want to remain second choice, and James Trafford’s arrival is expected to only reinforce that uncertainty and force a change of scenery for the German in the coming weeks.

For James Trafford, the switch marks a full-circle moment. After leaving the Etihad Stadium in pursuit of first-team football, he now returns with greater experience and a real opportunity to claim a long-term role in one of Europe’s top squads.

His fee will come under scrutiny in some quarters of the game, but the confidence Manchester City are showing in him sends a clear signal of belief in his potential.

Assuming the deal is completed in the coming days, James Trafford could feature during Manchester City’s upcoming pre-season schedule, and potentially debuting in the friendly against Palermo in Sicily next month.