James Trafford joins Manchester City star in targeting January transfer exit | OneFootball

Manchester City face a difficult decision in the upcoming January transfer window with two members of their goalkeeping department eyeing an exit from the club.

The goalkeeping picture at the Etihad shifted significantly in recent months with Ederson’s exit to Fenerbahce opening the door for a new long-term No.1, and while James Trafford re-joined from Burnley in early August, the landscape changed in the final hours of the window.

The late arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day reshaped Pep Guardiola’s plans entirely, immediately positioning the Italian international as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

Since then, Trafford has been at the centre of growing uncertainty over his future having seen his game-time significantly limited. His return to City was emotional and somewhat ambitious, but a lack of opportunities time behind Donnarumma has accelerated concerns that his development could stall at a crucial stage of his career.

Meanwhile, Stefan Ortega’s desire to become a regular No.1 elsewhere has never vanished, even after Ederson’s exit and the German has largely found himself as the club’s fourth choice behind summer recruit Marcus Bettinelli and not travelling with the squad to away fixtures.

Manchester City now enter the winter months knowing that the balance of their goalkeeping unit could dramatically shift if both players push for mid-season exits, as has now been reported.

According to the information of MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, both James Trafford and Stefan Ortega Moreno are open to leaving Manchester City with eyes on the upcoming January transfer window.

It is pointed out that in the case of the England international, Trafford was told he would be re-joining the club as first choice when arriving from Burnley during the last summer transfer window, only for City officials to swoop on Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day.

On one hand, James Trafford represents one of England’s brightest goalkeeping prospects, and allowing him to leave permanently would risk losing a long-term asset, yet restricting him to a season of minimal minutes creates an entirely different problem.

Stefan Ortega has been a reliable deputy since arriving from Arminia Bielefeld in 2022 and an occasional standout performer, although his ambitions to secure a starting role are well documented.

Should both formalise wishes to depart, Manchester City would be left potentially needing not just new cover for their first-choice, but an largely unwanted mid-season handling of another positional shake-up.

Looking ahead, City’s January strategy hinges on whether they receive acceptable loan or permanent offers for Trafford, how they value Ortega’s experience, and the availability of short-term replacements capable of operating behind Donnarumma.

A scenario in which one of the two goalkeepers departs while the other stays appears the most balanced solution. However, with Trafford feeling misled over his expected role and Ortega equally determined to take the next step, City could be heading into a complex situation.