And if Trafford leaves, Stefan Ortega could be heading the other direction…
Header image: via Getty Images/Chronicle Live
Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sports are reporting that Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford could be heading back to the Etihad Stadium to rejoin Manchester City - the club that he left permanently in 2023 after coming through the academy system.
Trafford won the Championship Golden Glove last season as part of a stellar defensive campaign by Burnley which saw the team keep an astonishing 29 clean sheets, equalling a Championship record. As part of this feat, Trafford achieved 12 clean sheets in a row, breaking the record for the most consecutive clean sheets in Championship history (the prior record was 10). During the entirety of the 2024/25 season, Burnley conceded only 16 goals in 46 games, the least in the history of the Football League.
Whilst Ederson is expected to stay at Manchester City this season, he and number two Stefan Ortega are entering the final year of their respective deals at the Etihad. Ederson has been an integral part of the project that Pep Guardiola has built at the City, but in recent seasons question marks have been raised over some of his shot-stopping performances.
The time may be nigh for City to search for a long-term Ederson replacement, as title rivals Liverpool have done with Giorgi Mamardashvili. Trafford is a product of the City academy system after joining at the age of 14 from Carlisle United, and has featured in England senior squads despite his tender years.
The young Englishman fits the ball-playing mould that a Guardiola side requires, with endless potential for development under the tutelage of Xabier Mancisidor.
With the news of City's interest breaking over the last 12 hours, Newcastle United - who made a £27 million bid for Trafford earlier in the year - are reportedly prepared to move on from signing the 22-year-old, according to the Daily Mail.
Manchester City have a £40 million buy back clause for Trafford, which would be closer to Burnley's valuation of the goalkeeper. Newcastle's previous bid was rejected with Burnley reportedly holding out for more cash than the £27 million put forward.
The Mail reports that although the Newcastle deal is not dead yet, and a 12-month pursuit shows how much they admire the player, the club are also comfortable with their current goalkeeper situation. It would not necessarily be a case of identifying another goalkeeper target if they fail to agree terms with Trafford.
Burnley are reported to be bringing Stefan Ortega to the club should they lose Trafford to City, in an unofficial swap deal.
