Manchester City is poised to re-sign goalkeeper James Trafford from Burnley for £27 million, two years after he initially departed the club. The 22-year-old, who came through City’s academy, made a significant impact at Burnley, helping the team secure promotion back to the Premier League by keeping an impressive 29 clean sheets in 45 Championship matches, alongside being named in the Championship Team of the Year.

Trafford originally signed with Burnley for a deal that could reach £19 million in July 2023. City had included a buy-back clause in the agreement, which allowed them to match any bids from rival clubs, a strategy they have successfully activated following a £27 million offer from Newcastle. Trafford has reportedly chosen to return to Manchester and is expected to sign a five-year contract, with an option for an additional year.

His arrival will add depth to City's goalkeeping options, which currently include Ederson, Stefan Ortega, and Marcus Bettinelli. Trafford is anticipated to challenge Ederson for the starting position, especially as the Brazilian enters the final year of his contract amid rumors linking him to a move to Galatasaray. Despite these speculations, Ederson has dismissed such transfer rumors as "99% fake news."

During his time at Burnley, Trafford made 73 appearances, including 28 in the Premier League during the 2023-24 season. He has also represented England at various youth levels, contributing to the Under-21 squad that won the European Championship in 2023 without conceding a single goal.

As City prepares for Trafford's return, they face the challenge of balancing their goalkeeping roster, particularly with the heightened competition that his signing introduces. While Trafford has shown exceptional shot-stopping ability and recorded a remarkable save percentage, he will need to refine his distribution skills to fit seamlessly into Pep Guardiola's playing style, which emphasizes building from the back.

His return marks City’s sixth signing of the transfer window, as they continue to bolster their squad in preparation for the upcoming season.