Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford in shock talks to LEAVE, following agreement: report

James Trafford of Manchester City looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. — James Trafford has only played twice in the league for City (Image credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Manchester City new boy James Trafford is in talks to exit the club already.

The Citizens have spent heavy in 2025, bringing in reinforcements across the pitch – including in goal, where veteran custodian Ederson had to sit on the bench for Manchester City's 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

Manchester City have already agreed a goalkeeper move, with James Trafford on the way out

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City on the side line during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. — Pep Guardiola is making changes in goal (Image credit: Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

City manager Pep Guardiola has a wealth of goalkeepers at his disposal, having re-signed Trafford over the summer from Burnley for £31m, which the BBC confirmed to be a British record for a goalkeeper.

Ederson has stayed at the club along with his deputy Stefan Ortega, while Marcus Bettinelli has signed as the third-choice, while City are also moving for yet another custodian.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid shoots past Ederson of Manchester City in the build up to his side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) Jamie Carragher — Ederson is expected to leave City – but hasn't yet (Image credit: Getty Images)

Turkish outlet Politikam have reported that former Manchester United hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to take Trafford to his current club Besiktas.

Trafford's agent is claimed to have gone to Istanbul in Turkey for talks, though it is unclear whether or not the Black Eagles have genuine interest in the 2023 Under-21 European Championship winner, or whether Ederson still remains a more likely signing, following interest from Turkish clubs.

RMC Sport have reported via Sport Witness that Gianluigi Donnarumma has agreed a move to City, hence the need for Trafford to get first-team minutes elsewhere – though FourFourTwo understands that City would prefer Trafford to get experience in a bigger league.

Donnarumma and Trafford could well both remain at the club, too, with the Englishman better with his feet and the Italian a big-game specialist, giving Guardiola a choice between the two depending on what the situation calls for.

Journalist Jorge Nicola, meanwhile, has poured water on reports that Ederson could return to Brazil, while Stefan Ortega is looking for a new club, too, as per The Athletic.

Trafford is valued at €22m, as per Transfermarkt.

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Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.

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