"Trafford chose City ahead of Newcastle when he left Burnley in July, expecting to become the first choice at the Etihad Stadium. Since the deadline-day arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, however, he has played in only four domestic cup ties and one Champions League match. The 23-year-old Trafford will start the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Newcastle on Tuesday and Howe gave the impression that he had not closed the door on the idea of Trafford relocating to Tyneside."
"Guardiola suggested that Trafford could leave. We want him and what's going to happen at the end of the season we will see, he said. I would like him to stay for many years here because he has the attributes to play in a big club like us. Trafford returned to City for a second spell in a 31m deal."
"The club matched Newcastle's bid for him, though the net fee was 27m owing to a sell-on clause in the deal that took him to Turf Moor in summer 2023. Guardiola was asked how Trafford had responded to Donnarumma usurping him. The City manager said: There's no complaints. James is a top keeper. The situation of the keeper is completely special, right? One plays or the other one. It's not like some positions, you can play in different ones. But we count on him."
James Trafford moved from Burnley to Manchester City in July expecting to become first-choice goalkeeper. Gianluigi Donnarumma’s deadline-day arrival limited Trafford to four domestic cup appearances and one Champions League match. Trafford will start the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Newcastle, where Eddie Howe, who pursued him for two years, expressed strong admiration and did not rule out a future transfer. Pep Guardiola acknowledged Trafford’s quality, said the club wants him, and left open the possibility of him leaving at season’s end. Trafford returned to City in a 31m deal. Howe is prioritising cup competitions amid injury problems.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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