Former Newcastle United target James Trafford made a costly error during Manchester City’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking to replace James Trafford just two games into his Manchester City career.
Newcastle United failed to sign the 22-year-old in consecutive summers after being pipped at the final hurdle. A deal for Trafford was all but agreed until City activated their buy-back clause just one hour before its deadline.
This proved a huge blow to the Magpies, who had tracked the goalkeeper for two years and viewed him as the long-term Nick Pope successor. Newcastle ultimately moved for Aaron Ramsdale on loan until the end of the season.
James Trafford nightmare
Trafford enjoyed a solid debut in the 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week. However, a costly mistake allowed Tottenham Hotspur to double their advantage in a shock 2-0 win on Saturday.
In a potentially fatal blow to his Man City career given Pep Guardiola’s philosophy, his five-yard pass found Spurs player Pape Matar Sarr and, within seconds, Joao Palhinha found the back of the net. The young keeper understandably looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up.
Man City interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting that City have agreed terms with Gianluigi Donnarumma. A penny for Trafford’s thoughts after his Newcastle move broke down…
“Gigio Donnarumma has agreed on personal terms with Manchester City, keen on joining Pep Guardiola,” he posted on X. “Negotiations are also underway between Man City and PSG, fee will be under initial €50million request. Deal still depends on Ederson exit this summer, with Galatasaray still keen.”
🚨 Gigio Donnarumma has agreed on personal terms with Manchester City, keen on joining Pep Guardiola.
Negotiations are also underway between Man City & PSG, fee will be under initial €50m request.
❗️ Deal still depends on Éderson exit this summer, with Galatasaray still keen. pic.twitter.com/4HYxRZsTRs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2025
Pep Guardiola raises doubt
Guardiola did little to give Trafford confidence on his long-term selection following the Tottenham defeat. He told reporters: "James made a good first game and I decided to continue (with him).
"The keeper is a special position, of course, to have more consistency in the goal. When I take decisions in the first part of the season for all the players who play one or two games, everyone thinks 'Ok, this is the starting line-up, these are the players who are going to play', but with these amount of games, everyone will play. It was just today I decided that.”
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