-
News
- 2 hours ago
Man City transfer 'inevitable' after DISASTROUS summer move
Suraj Radia
- 13 Nov 2025 20:08 GMT
- 4 min read
News
One of Manchester City’s big money summer signings is already set for a quick exit after seeing his dream move turn into a nightmare at the Etihad.
City spent more than €200 million players during the summer, with their final deal of the window coming on deadline day through the €30m signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
Donnarumma immediately established himself as Pep Guardiola’s number one, leaving James Trafford out in the cold despite the England international only joining the club one month earlier in a €31m arrival from Burnley.
Compared
James Trafford
GK
Man City
James Trafford
GK
Man City
VS
Gianluigi Donnarumma
GK
Man City
Gianluigi Donnarumma
GK
Man City
|
|
ETV |
|
| €29.2M - €35.7M | ETV Range | €46.2M - €56.5M |
| 23 years old (10 Oct, 2002) | Age | 26 years old (25 Feb, 1999) |
|
England
|
Nationality |
Italy
|
The 23-year-old made three Premier League appearances but left Guardiola uncertain of his credentials, leading to the signing of Donnarumma and leaving Trafford on the bench, where he has made just two cup appearances in the last two months.
Trafford’s lack of game time saw him dropped from the England squad for the latest round of internationals, leading to fears that he may not be picked for next summer’s World Cup despite arriving at City as his country’s third-choice goalkeeper.
The situation has led to the Manchester Evening News describing Trafford’s exit as ‘inevitable’ and suggesting he may even look to push for a move in January in order to boost his chances to go to the World Cup, although City are unlikely to sanction his departure.
Guardiola ‘delighted’ with Trafford despite Donnarumma impact
Trafford came through City’s academy before moving to Burnley in 2023, with City retaining a buy-back clause that they eventually exercised this summer in order to beat Newcastle to his signature.
Despite being named the PFA Championship Player of the Year last season after conceding just 16 goals all season, Trafford struggled with the step up to Premier League football with City and made a number of mistakes in his early appearances.
Guardiola insisted recently that he was ‘delighted’ with Trafford and insisted the youngster will soon become England’s number one goalkeeper, while also still playing an important role for City.
“We have an incredible 'keeper. For England, sooner or later, he will be the one," Guardiola said. "We are delighted with his behaviour in training.
"Gigi learns from James and James learns from Gigi. The goalkeepers are always connected, they train. They learn like I learn from the players and hopefully the players learn from the staff.
"One of the reasons I want to go through in [the cups] is because they all have to be ready just in case they are needed in the Premier League or Champions League."
Football transfer news headlines today
TRANSFER RUMOURS: Secret Chelsea agreement after shock Man Utd talks
Fabrizio Romano Transfer News: Rodrygo to Chelsea TRUTH, Man Utd EXIT, Real Madrid DISASTER
Kenan Yildiz URGED to join Chelsea by former Juventus teammate
Liverpool told to beat Wirtz fee for Arne Slot’s dream signing
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
