JAMES TRAFFORD is set to seal a return to Manchester City.
City look to have beaten off interest from Newcastle – who have tracked the keeper throughout the summer.
RexJames Trafford is set to seal a return to Manchester City[/caption]
Trafford came through City’s academy and spent a season on loan with Accrington Stanley before two separate terms at Bolton.
The 22-year-old – who has represented England from Under 17s-21s – then moved to Burnley from City in 2023 in a deal worth £19million.
But after impressing at Turf Moor – Pep Guardiola has swooped to bring the stopper back.
His initial transfer to Burnley included a £40m buy-back clause – but City negotiated a smaller fee to re-sign him.
And according to The Athletic, City have knocked off £13m with a fee of £27m struck with Burnley.
Trafford has agreed a five-year deal plus the option of a further 12 months.
Newcastle were desperate to sign Trafford as competition for Nick Pope.
But Eddie Howe has been left disappointed yet again in what has been a difficult transfer window so far – having already seen deals for Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo and Hugo Ekitike hijacked
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Now star striker Alexander Isak is looking to leave the club too.
City’s surprise swoop for Trafford comes as Ederson edges closer to an exit after eight years with the club.
The Brazilian has won SIX Premier League titles at the Etihad as well as the Champions League in 2023.
But his future has been uncertain over the summer with reports linking Galatasaray with a move.
Ederson – who City are believed to want to keep – was even forced to speak out amid the transfer speculation.
He said during the summer Club World Cup: “My future is here.
“Some friends send me a lot of news but 99 per cent is fake news. I understand, but there’s a lot of fake news around my name.
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“My head is staying at the club. It stays with the City. It gives me everything to go back to the Premier League again and try to win the Champions League as well.”
Despite Ederson’s stance, Trafford’s imminent arrival will again throw up questions over his future.
Trafford helped Burnley to Prem promotion last season keeping a staggering 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals.
Ederson’s City finished third in the table with the keeper managing ten clean sheets with 26 goals conceded.
Ederson’s City future is in doubt Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
