Manchester City s lightning stops, Trafford is about to return

The transfer market has been ups and downs this summer on July 25, and the competition between Manchester City and Newcastle United over goalkeeper James Trafford has become the focus of hot discussion in the football world. In just 24 hours, Manchester City took decisive action and strongly intercepted the nostalgia with the matching terms in the contract. It is expected that Trafford's signing and return transaction will be completed soon.

Previously, Newcastle United had reached an agreement with Burnley on the transfer fee for Trafford, aiming to introduce strong aid to No. 1 goalkeeper Nick Pope. However, Manchester City quickly exercised the matching rights and finalized the deal for £27 million. When Manchester City sold Trafford to Burnley in 2023, the transfer fee was £14 million, and the signing of this time actually cost only £13 million. The total deal agreed initially with Burnley was about £31 million, plus additional terms, but City was able to reduce actual spending thanks to the second transfer share clause in the contract.

Traford, 22, is pleased to accept a five-year contract from Manchester City, with a one-year renewal option. He will return to Etihad Stadium and compete fiercely with Ederson in the main position. Last season, Trafford performed amazingly at Burnley, conceding only 16 goals in 46 Championship games, tying England's first four-tier league record in a single season with 29 clean sheets, helping the team to advance to the Super League strongly. He was also selected into the Best Team in the Championship and won the Golden Gloves Award.

With Trafford coming soon, Manchester City goalkeeper's position has been adjusted. Ortega is expected to leave the team, and Burnley has been keeping his attention on him, although his next home is not yet clear. Manchester City is quite satisfied with this repurchase operation, and the importance of the repurchase clause in the transfer transaction is becoming increasingly prominent. The football world is waiting to see what kind of performance Trafford will perform at Manchester City in the future and how his competition with Ederson will unfold.