- Manchester City have reached a full agreement to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford
- The club will pay the full £40M release clause after failing to negotiate a lower fee
- Trafford chose City over Newcastle after speaking directly with Pep Guardiola
Key Takeaways:
Manchester City’s management has reached a full agreement to sign Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, reports Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Citizens had hoped to lower the player’s price, but newly promoted Premier League side Burnley did not agree, and City will now have to pay the full £40 million release clause.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
Newcastle are also informed about Trafford’s decision. pic.twitter.com/UG4X3V2lsZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2025
James Trafford himself held a personal conversation with Pep Guardiola and ultimately gave his approval to return to the club. The player also informed Newcastle, who had shown strong interest in him, of his decision to rejoin Manchester City. Trafford is a product of City’s youth academy and remained part of it until 2023, when he was sold to Burnley.
Manchester City were in urgent need of reinforcement in the goalkeeper position after it became clear that current first-choice Ederson once again wants to leave. He has already received an official offer from Galatasaray, though negotiations between the two sides are still ongoing. The Brazilian was also close to leaving last summer when he was targeted by clubs from Saudi Arabia but was ultimately convinced by Josep Guardiola to stay one more season with the Citizens.