MANCHESTER, UK – Manchester City are poised to bring back goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley in a £27 million deal, just one year after selling him to the Clarets for £14 million.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, City have activated their matching rights after Newcastle United submitted a similar offer for the England Under-21 international.
Trafford, however, opted to return to his boyhood club, signing a five-year deal with an option for a sixth.
The transfer represents a £13 million buy-back cost for City, who included clauses allowing them to re-sign the promising shot-stopper should his development progress as expected.
City Academy Graduate Returns
Trafford, 22, began his professional journey at Manchester City before being loaned out to Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers, where he built a strong reputation with 74 appearances for the latter.
He completed a permanent switch to Burnley in June 2023, where he endured a turbulent Premier League debut season under Vincent Kompany.
Despite showing flashes of potential, Trafford conceded 62 goals and lost his starting spot late in the campaign.
Championship Redemption and England Recognition
However, Trafford bounced back strongly in the Championship under new Burnley boss Scott Parker.
He conceded just 16 goals across 45 games last season, playing a pivotal role in Burnley’s automatic promotion to the Premier League—falling short of the Championship title only on goal difference to Leeds United.
His standout performances earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s provisional England squad for Euro 2024.
Though ultimately cut from the final 26-man list, his inclusion alongside top keepers like Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale underscored his rising profile.
Numbers Behind the Move
Trafford has made 73 appearances for Burnley in total. His 2023–24 campaign in the Championship solidified his reputation as one of the brightest young goalkeeping prospects in English football.
With his return to Manchester City, Trafford is expected to compete for a backup role behind Ederson, while further developing under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage.
