Manchester City stance on summer departure for James Trafford revealed | OneFootball

Manchester City’s second-choice goalkeeper James Trafford could look to leave the Premier League club this summer in search of more playing time after failing to oust Gianluigi Donnarumma, as per a new report. 

The England international played a vital role in Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League last season, where Scott Parker’s side finished joint-top on points with Leeds United but lost out on the top spot because of goal difference.

The Clarets only conceded 16 goals all season and claimed two losses as Trafford became subject to intense interest across Europe before he made the decision to return to the Etihad Stadium, having risen through the ranks at the City Football Academy.

Trafford joined City’s youth setup in 2015 at the age of 12 before leaving for Burnley in 2023 after a series of loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers, where played 11 and 74 games respectively.

But after returning to his boyhood club to become their number one keeper for the foreseeable future, Trafford witnessed the arrival of Donnarumma from UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million on deadline day in the recent summer transfer window.

The Italian shot-stopper has since been the favourite in Guardiola’s squad, increasing the likelihood of Trafford leaving in the summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Speaking on Footballer Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, O’Rourke said: “James Trafford probably will have a big decision to make on his future come this summer. 

“Obviously he joined Man City in the last summer window thinking that he was going to be the number one for Pep Guardiola’s side, but they then went on and signed Gianluigi Donnarumma – and he is undoubtedly the number one goalkeeper at the Etihad Stadium.

“If Trafford wants to be playing regular first team football, it doesn’t look like he’s going to get that at Manchester City, so he might have to move. If he’s happy to play back up to Donnarumma, I think Manchester City are happy to keep him. 

“Obviously, (Stefan) Ortega has left the club as well so they don’t have a lot of goalkeeping cover. I don’t think they will be pushing Trafford out of the door right now.”

Trafford has made 11 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City this season and just three in the Premier League, which is nowhere near what he would have desired when he joined the club. 

City turned down approaches ahead of the January transfer window as they had little interest in letting him leave the club midway through the current campaign, yet several clubs have been linked with the Englishman, including West Ham and Newcastle United.