Burnley FC v Sunderland AFC - Sky Bet Championship
Manchester City have reportedly made formal contact with Burnley to discuss the potential return of their former academy graduate James Trafford. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, currently at Turf Moor, is the subject of renewed interest from his boyhood club just two years after being sold.
WHAT HAPPENED?
City, who offloaded Trafford to Burnley in 2023 for an initial £19 million ($25.5m) plus performance-based add-ons, included a £40m ($54m) buy-back clause in the deal. Now, as the 2025-26 season approaches, the Cityzens are actively exploring the possibility of bringing the England Under-21 international back to the Etihad Stadium, albeit with hopes of negotiating a fee lower than the stated clause, as reported by Sky Sports.
Portsmouth FC v Burnley FC - Sky Bet Championship
THE BIGGER PICTURE
If Trafford does depart this summer, Burnley will be forced to enter the market for a new shot-stopper. And among the potential options being considered is City’s Ortega. The 31-year-old German has served largely as Ederson’s understudy since arriving at the Etihad and has made 56 appearances across all competitions over three seasons. Scott Parker, Burnley’s head coach, has placed Ortega on his radar as a possible successor to Trafford, although no formal approach has yet been made.
DID YOU KNOW?
Newcastle United were also in the hunt for Trafford earlier this summer. The Magpies reportedly submitted an offer worth £27m ($36m), including performance-related incentives, but the bid was swiftly rejected by Burnley.
Stefan Ortega
WHAT NEXT FOR TRAFFORD?
Trafford’s potential return to City would mark a full-circle moment in his career. Having joined City’s youth setup as a teenager, he spent eight years at the club without ever making a senior appearance. Instead, he was sent out on successive loan spells to Accrington Stanley and later to Bolton Wanderers, where he impressed with his commanding presence and shot-stopping ability. Following those successful loan stints, City sold Trafford to Burnley in 2023, where he has since developed into a Premier League-calibre goalkeeper.
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