Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published on Tuesday, 02 December 2025, 15:44 / Updated on Tuesday, 02 December 2025 15:47
The most ungrateful is the situation of James Trafford. In the summer, when he negotiated a move from Burnley with Manchester City chiefs, he agreed to sign after being promised that he would be the No.1 striker and thus increase his chances of going to the 2026 World Cup with England.
James Trafford's situation changed on the final day of the summer transfer window when Pep Guardiola snapped up Gianluigi Donnarumma
However, the situation changed 180 degrees on the last day of the mercato, when Pep Guardiola decided that he could not miss the opportunity to take Gianluigi Donnarumma, from PSG, for free. Thus, Trafford landed on the reserve bench!
And now, after only 5 months, he insists on leaving in the January transfer window. As in the summer, Newcastle United are interested, which the Daily Mail tabloid writes is preparing to come to negotiations.
Trafford cost City 31.2 million euros and has a contract until 2030. On Transfermarkt.de he is quoted at 30 million euros, a jump of 8 million recorded immediately after the transfer to the “citizens”.
Stefan Ortega became Manchester City's 4th goalkeeper
The second goalkeeper who wants to leave the multiple champions of England in January, Stefan Ortega, has reasons as serious as Trafford to think about a transfer. The former reserve of the Brazilian Ederson became the fourth goalkeeper in Pep's hierarchy, being overtaken even by the unknown Marcus Bettinelli.
Without a prospect at the club, the German goalkeeper could return to the Bundesliga – writes the Daily Mail. Pep brought him to Manchester in January 2022, free of contract, in a big fight with Bayern, who wanted him as a backup for Manuel Neuer.
