Manchester City were busy in the January 2024 transfer window and could have more business to do next month as they set up their squad for the second half of the season
Gianluigi Donnarumma during Man City vs Leeds
Gianluigi Donnarumma's arrival at Manchester City could have a knock-on effect
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is braced for two potential departures in January, it has been claimed. James Trafford and Stefan Ortega are both said to be keen to move on, with the summer arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma leaving both goalkeepers sidelined.
Donnarumma joined City from Paris Saint-Germain for £27million on transfer deadline day, a little over a month after Trafford returned to the Etihad Stadium from Burnley. Last season's first-choice keeper Ederson has already moved on, joining Fenerbahce after it became clear he wouldn't be Guardiola's No.1 this term, and others may follow suit.
According to The Mail, Trafford is keen to move on in order to boost his hopes of making England's squad for the World Cup. Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has indicated he needs every member of the group to be playing regular club football, something the 23-year-old has been unable to do since Donnarumma's arrival.
Trafford started City's first three league games, but he has remained on the bench for the last 10 with Donnarumma starting between the sticks. He has also been an unused sub for four of City's five Champions League fixtures, though he started the defeat against Bayer Leverkusen and also played the full 90 in both Carabao Cup games.
Ortega finds himself even further down the pecking order. New arrival Marcus Bettinelli has been installed as third choice behind Donnarumma and Trafford after joining from Chelsea over the summer, with Ortega not even making a matchday squad since the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
City spent more than £180m over the summer, but also recouped £100m after selling the likes of Ederson, James McAtee and Yan Couto. It remains to be seen whether they break the bank in January, having been uncharacteristically active last winter.
Nico Gonzalez, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush all arrived for eight-figure sums midway through the 2024/25 campaign after City went into the new year outside the Champions League spots. Guardiola's side recovered towards the tail end of the season, though, eventually finishing third.
James Trafford in action against Bayer Leverkusen
James Trafford in action against Bayer Leverkusen
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Trafford's reported preference for a move may have been influenced by England boss Tuchel's comments in November. Tuchel left Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly out of his squad for the double-header against Serbia and Albania, pointing to his lack of regular club football.
"Myles simply needs more starts, more minutes," Tuchel said. "Now came a time when Nico O'Reilly had so many starts in that position, so he is slightly ahead for this camp."
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