Manchester City are poised to bring James Trafford back to the club, two years after the goalkeeper departed for Burnley.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper, who was astounding for Burnley in their promotion bid, has been linked with a move to Newcastle United this summer, and some reports even say he has given them his word about joining them.
Eddie Howe’s side held talks with the Clarets over a possible transfer and later offered to pay £27million for the England shot-stopper. However, Manchester City have matched the offer and are expected to secure the goalkeeper’s signature.
According to Mail Sport, when Trafford departed the Etihad Stadium two years ago, his contract included a ‘matching clause’ that obligated him to return to Manchester City if they matched an offer made by another club.
With the imminent arrival of Trafford, it remains to be seen what will be the fate of number one goalkeeper Ederson and Stefan Ortega. Meanwhile, both have been linked with moves away from the Etihad.
The season is looking bright for the Citizens, who have made some wholesome changes to their squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. Meanwhile, fans are beginning to get their Manchester City tickets.
Manchester City rebuild in full flow
Pep Guardiola reinforced his squad with the additions of Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan in a deal worth £46.3m, and Rayan Cherki from Lyon on a five-year contract for a fee of £30.45m.
In addition, Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri completed a £31m move from Premier League side Wolves, while Marcus Bettinelli was signed from Chelsea on a free transfer as a backup goalkeeper. Back in January, City signed the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov, Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Vitor Reis, but they might not be done yet.
Having spent a lot on bringing players in, City need to let some players go to create a balance in the squad. Kevin De Bruyne has already left for Napoli, while others like Kyle Walker are expected to leave before the end of the window.
“It’s a big honour, I can improve a lot with him,” said Ait-Nouri, one of the new arrivals, about playing under Pep Guardiola.
“We saw in the last few years that he has made a lot of things. He wins every time with this team. He’s the best manager and I’m very happy to work with him. For sure, I will improve my football.”
Speaking after signing his contract, Cherki was delighted to have made the move.
“This is a dream for me,” Cherki said. “Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.
“I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.
“Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace. I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in, and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future,” Cherki concluded.
Meanwhile, the City squad needs a right-back badly, but the Citizens have not seen a solution just yet. Although Matheus Nunes has been doing a fine job in that role recently, a traditional defender will give them more balance on the right side of the defence.
After a disappointing 2024/25 season that ended without a trophy, Guardiola has bolstered his squad in key areas as Manchester City prepares to challenge Liverpool and other rivals for the Premier League crown.
Manchester City set to lose star to Turkish side
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes is set to quit the Premier League club for Turkish Champions Galatasaray.
As reported by Sabah, the 31-year-old goalkeeper is keen on leaving the Manchester side, and it appears an agreement has been struck between the two clubs for his transfer.
The Turkish side are looking to bring in a new goalkeeper ahead of the new season, and that pursuit has taken them to the Brazilian goalkeeper. Based on the report, Manchester City and Galatasaray reportedly struck an agreement worth €10 million for the former Benfica goalkeeper.
Galatasaray’s interest in Ederson is valid, and with the fact that the long-serving goalkeeper Fernando Muslera left the club earlier in the summer. The 31-year-old is a viable option for the Turkish champions, who are keen to continue their dominance in Turkey.
Ederson joined Manchester City from Benfica in a deal worth €40 million in July 2017. He has grown to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. With his long-ball ability, he has used that to a great effect under Pep Guardiola.
His stats at Manchester City stand at over 350 appearances, while keeping 168 clean sheets and conceding 311 goals. However, the veteran goalkeeper, who has just a year left on his current contract with the Citizens, is facing an uncertain future at the Etihad.
Meanwhile, as shared by Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk has identified Ederson as a key target in their summer transfer plans, but admitted uncertainty over Manchester City’s readiness to part ways with the Brazilian.
“Ederson is a very important option for us. Will Manchester City let him go? That’s also an important matter,” Buruk admitted this week amid growing speculation that the Brazilian shot-stopper will end up remaining at the Etihad Stadium.
Man City return to training
After they participated in the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, Manchester City have returned to training to continue their preparations for the new season.
Manchester City will remain at the City Football Academy for the next two weeks before heading to Sicily for a pre-season clash against Palermo — their only confirmed warm-up fixture so far.
With several senior players (including Stefan Ortega, James McAtee, and Jack Grealish) potentially set to depart before the transfer deadline, the returning squad members have a valuable chance in these sessions to step up and impress ahead of the new season.
