Pierce Charles on Manchester City’s radar as James Trafford nears summer exit | OneFootball

Manchester City are targeting a move for former academy star Pierce Charles to replace backup goalkeeper James Trafford, as per a report.

With Trafford’s future at the Etihad Stadium looking increasingly uncertain, Manchester City officials have begun their search for a replacement for the 23-year-old Englishman.

The City Football Academy graduate is poised to leave his boyhood club for a second time this summer after growing frustrated with playing second-fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks after arriving from Burnley last summer.

City will allow a sale for Trafford and have reportedly set a £35-40 million asking price for Trafford, who has drawn interest from Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham ahead of the summer transfer window.

Man City eye Pierce Charles to replace James Trafford

As reported by journalist Graeme Bailey, City are assessing a move for their former academy goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who has spent nearly six seasons at Sheffield Wednesday since joining the Owls’ academy from the Etihad Stadium in July 2020.

Manchester City aren’t alone in this pursuit as multiple English clubs are keen to get their hands on the 20-year-old, who is approaching the final year of his current deal at Hillsborough.

The wide-ranging interest in the Northern Ireland international isn’t surprising given his status as the emerging number one for Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Championship this season.

Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United and Newcastle United are also monitoring the Premier League-bound shot-stopper. Coventry City are also in the race as goalkeeper Carl Rushworth’s loan will expire at the end of the current campaign.

Chelsea’s owners BlueCo are also credited with an interest in Charles as Mike Penders will return to Stamford Bridge after his season-long loan at Strasbourg. Hence, Todd Boehly and co would like a talented keeper for their French venture.

Still not a finished product for Pep’s system

Charles is a solid goalkeeper in what has arguably been the worst Championship team this season. We can make that inference from the fact that Sheffield Wednesday are League One-bound, given their standing in the English second-tier.

The Manchester City academy graduate is elite when it comes to saves per 90 minutes. This season, Charles has averaged 4.60 saves per 90 – ranking at the 96.2nd percentile mark.

He boasts a decent goal prevented per 90 minutes too – at 0.14 – and an average save percentage of 69%. However, one can argue Charles still lacks what it would take to be the 11th outfield player in Pep Guardiola’s system at Manchester City.

Charles has a 57.3% pass accuracy this season, with an even lower long ball accuracy of 28%. This is clearly not a profile of Guardiola’s liking and the youngster will have to make long strides in this aspect of his game to earn serious interest from his boyhood club.