Manchester City make transfer progress in bid to sign new first-team goalkeeper | OneFootball

Hugo Viana and Manchester City are pursuing a deal for former Academy goalkeeper Pierce Charles, bringing the goalkeeper back to the club from Sheffield Wednesday.

Following the realignment that saw Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma solidify his position as the club’s undisputed number one last season, City’s recruitment team has modified its planning for the back-up ranks.

The hierarchy’s focus has moved toward securing a homegrown talent who possesses the distribution data required by newly-appointed manager Enzo Maresca, ensuring tactical continuity across all competitions.

This re-evaluation has been forced to accelerate amid uncertainty surrounding the club’s 23-year-old English shot-stopper James Trafford, who prepares to call time on his second stint at the club.

Having arrived back from Burnley on a lucrative contract last summer, Trafford has grown frustrated by a lack of minutes behind Donnarumma, and widespread Premier League interest has emerged from the likes of Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Aston Villa.

Man City target new first-team goalkeeper signing

Now, according to Sky Sports News’ Adrian Kajumba, Manchester City are ‘making progress’ in their bid to re-sign former Academy goalkeeper Pierce Charles from League One side Sheffield Wednesday.

It is explained that the two clubs are currently in talks over a deal that would see the 20-year-old return to the Etihad Stadium, and there is said to be an optimism that a deal could be agreed with discussions heading in the right direction.

Why Man City are focussing on Charles

The pursuit of Pierce Charles represents a calculated move by sporting director Hugo Viana, with the Manchester-born 20-year-old – who initially departed the City Football Academy for Hillsborough at 16 – rapidly evolving into Northern Ireland’s senior national number one.

An internal valuation may lead to a fee could being structured around performance add-ons, making Charles a highly cost-effective homegrown squad asset for Manchester City.

For Enzo Maresca, the addition of the young international serves a dual purpose in filling a key slot under Donnarumma’s mentorship, while simultaneously preserving capital for City’s broader midfield and winger transfer targets this summer.