Manchester City Blocks James Trafford’s Signing for Newcastle United
The Manchester City has thwarted Newcastle United’s plans by securing the return of goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley, through a 27 million pound sterling (36 million dollar) deal. Sources close to the club have confirmed the news, two years after Trafford left the Etihad.
Trafford will sign a five-year contract with City, with the option of an additional year at the end of the agreement.
The goalkeeper, who was called up to the England national team last year, had been the subject of a £27 million offer from Newcastle this week. The Tyneside club was also willing to offer Slovakian international Martin Dúbravka as part of the deal.
However, Burnley were obliged to inform City of Newcastle’s offer due to a clause in the agreement that allowed Trafford to join Turf Moor in 2023, and City decided to match the offer.
This left Trafford to decide his next destination, and he chose City.James Trafford was trained in the City’s youth academy, but did not debut with the first team before moving to Burnley in 2023.Although City has maintained a long-term interest in re-signing Trafford this summer, the club’s initial plan was to sell Éderson or Stefan Ortega before making an offer for him.
But, upon Newcastle presenting their offer to Burnley this week, City had no choice but to accelerate their attempt to sign Trafford to prevent him from going to another club.
Éderson is expected to stay at the Etihad despite interest from Galatasaray, and backup goalkeeper Ortega will be transferred. This will leave Éderson and Trafford battling for the starting position in Pep Guardiola’s team.
After transferring to Trafford for 14 million pounds two years ago, City’s management considers that the reincorporation agreement has cost the club only 13 million pounds.
