Pep Guardiola could be about to leave new Man City star with serious concerns

James Trafford broke Championship records between the sticks for Burnley last season and returned to Manchester City hoping to be their long-term No.1 – now a formidable Italian problem could destroy his long-term plans

James Trafford didn’t walk into Manchester City this summer expecting to oust Ederson straight away. But he must have fancied his chances to get the No.1 shirt in the very near future from the Brazilian who is constantly linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for the last 12 months.

The Premier League club have yet to receive any contact for their current No.1. But Ederson’s name is not often far from the Saudi Arabia conversation while Galatasaray are also interested in him.

Yet now it has emerged that should a late bid come in for Ederson then City will swoop for PSG outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma – that’s despite signing Trafford this summer. That’s not good news for the England hopeful in a World Cup year. That’s for sure.

City brought in former player Trafford from Burnley in a £31m deal after they triggered a clause where they could match Newcastle’s offer. They will pay £27m because they had a sell-on clause included in the deal when they sold Trafford to Burnley. Yet now the England international will find himself in a strange position should City sign another goalkeeper.

There was a belief that Trafford would be understudy to 31-year-old Ederson this season before taking over next summer should the Brazilian move on. But it appears now City will be signing Donnarumma if they can find a buyer for their current No.1.

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Italy keeper Donnarumma is just 26 and at the peak of his powers. That would seem like bad news for Trafford, who at 22 will want to be playing.

Donnarumma is available this summer after PSG boss Luis Enrique ousted him from his first-team squad despite his Champions League heroics last season. The French giants have spent over £40m on signing Lucas Chevalier from Lille as their new No.1 and Donnarumma has been exiled.

The keeper has had an ambition to play in the Premier League and it appears now City would be his likeliest destination if he moves to England. Manchester United have been linked but they have currently no plans to enter into the race for his signature.

Despite being booted out of the first-team squad, PSG will want around £30m to sell the Italian No.1 in the next couple of weeks. The keeper is understood to be stunned by PSG’s actions. That’s despite having just one year left on his current contract and no sign of agreeing a new deal for the last number of months.

He was one of their star performers as they beat Liverpool, Arsenal and Inter Milan on their way to European glory last season. Those around him believe his stats are also much better than the replacement PSG have bought. That also means he wouldn’t be coming to City to sit on the bench and where does that leave Trafford?

Being second choice this season to the long-standing No.1 would be tolerable with the knowledge that Ederson is seemingly itching to get a move soon.

But he should be seriously concerned if Pep Guardiola goes out and brings in a high-profile keeper just weeks after returning to the club he came through the academy at.

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