Manchester City have agreed a deal with Burnley to bring James Trafford back to the Etihad, with the England international set to replace Ederson following his expected departure to Galatasaray.
The agreement comes below Burnley’s £40m buy-back clause, with City negotiating favourable terms after Trafford expressed his clear desire to return. Pep Guardiola personally approved the move, viewing Trafford as the natural successor to Ederson.
As first reported by Football Place, Ederson has already agreed terms with Galatasaray, with the deal progressing quickly this week. Read the full transfer report
Ederson vs Trafford Stats comparison breakdown (2024/25Season)
| Stat (2024/25) | James Trafford | Ederson |
|---|---|---|
| Save % | 92.7% | 63.7% |
| PSxG–GA | 70.0 | 26.9 |
| Aerials Won | 92.7 | 63.7 |
| Short Pass % | 90.7% | 83.1% |
| Long Pass % | 91.4% | 32.5% |
| Passes Attempted | 98.9 | 37.5 |
| Interceptions | 8.3 | 69.4 |
| Total Minutes | 4419 | 2543 |
“Trafford may not match Ederson’s passing range yet, but the raw numbers show why City are willing to trust him as a future No.1.” — *Football Place Analysis Team*
Why Guardiola Approved the Move
Guardiola has long admired Trafford’s presence and maturity — and City have tracked his progress since selling him to Burnley in 2023. His form in the Premier League and England youth sides convinced City that he was ready for a step up.
With Ederson nearing the end of his City career, Guardiola believes Trafford offers a more traditional but equally reliable style, perfect for managing transition in a post-Ederson era.
Ederson's Departure Clears the Path
As we revealed earlier this week, Ederson is close to finalising his move to Galatasaray, ending a historic chapter at City. The Brazilian’s unique style helped define Guardiola’s title-winning teams — but at 31, both player and club felt it was the right time to part ways.
With Ederson’s exit near completion, Trafford is now set to return as City’s primary goalkeeper for the 2025/26 season.
Key Insights
- James Trafford returns to Manchester City in a deal under £40m
- Ederson to join Galatasaray – full story here
- Trafford posted a 92.7% save rate in 2024/25 for Burnley
- Pep Guardiola signed off on the move after tracking him for years
- Style shift: Trafford is more direct, more commanding, less distribution-focused
What’s Next for Manchester City and Trafford?
Trafford will complete his medical this week before officially rejoining City. Ederson’s exit is expected to be announced within days, clearing the way for Trafford to become Guardiola’s first new No.1 since 2017.
The move signals a stylistic evolution in City’s goalkeeping department — one focused on efficiency, aerial presence, and high-percentage saves, rather than expansive passing alone.
Is Trafford the right long-term No.1 for City — or should they have replaced Ederson with someone more experienced?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 25 Jul 2025 11:35
Trafford is a very good replacement for Ederson who seems likely to leave City..
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