Manchester City might pursue 21-year-old Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford in the summer transfer window if Ederson Moraes departs from the Etihad.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on HITC, James Trafford is the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Premier League champions are combing the market for a young and highly-rated goalkeeper amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Ederson Moraes. They will pursue the 21-year-old Burnley shot-stopper if Ederson leaves in the summer transfer window.
The James Trafford tale
James Trafford has blown hot and cold since joining Burnley from Manchester City last summer. The Englishman was one of the best young goalkeeping prospects in his homeland during his spell with the Citizens, winning trophies in age-group football with the club.
However, the 21-year-old could not establish a foothold in the first-team squad at the Etihad and joined Burnley to find a stable footing in his career. Trafford started the 2023/24 season as the first-choice goalkeeper for Burnley but lost his spot in the final weeks of the campaign.
The England youth international has turned out 28 times thus far for Burnley while keeping two clean sheets and conceding 62 goals. However, Trafford faces an uncertain future at Turf Moor, with several high-profile clubs setting their sights on him. Recent reports have heavily linked the young goalkeeper with Newcastle United. However, Manchester City might look to re-sign him in the summer transfer window.
Manchester City want to re-sign Trafford
Manchester City’s interest in James Trafford is understandable. The Premier League champions are in a spot of bother over the long-term future of Ederson Moraes amid the Brazilian shot-stopper’s links with Saudi Pro League clubs. So, Manchester City must scour the market for a young goalkeeper.
Several candidates, including Gianluigi Donnarumma, have thus emerged on Manchester City’s radar as potential replacements for Ederson. Trafford is also a viable target, even though he blew hot and cold at Burnley in the 2023/24 season.
Stefan Ortega might become the first-choice goalkeeper if Ederson leaves, with Trafford being his deputy. So, it will be interesting to see if the 21-year-old England youth international returns to Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
