Manchester City could reportedly sacrifice new signing James Trafford if Gianluigi Donnarumma joins the club this summer.
Donnarumma announced his exit from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) earlier this month, after Luis Enrique kept him out of the UEFA Super Cup squad.
Many clubs are interested in signing Donnarumma, but Man City, at 4/7 odds with UK betting sites, are the favourites to sign him.
Manchester City Signed James Trafford on a Five-Year Deal
Towards the end of July, Man City agreed to a £27 million deal to sign James Trafford from Burnley. The goalkeeper, who had left City for Burnley just two years prior, signed a five-year deal with option to extend for an additional year.
Trafford started in Man City’s Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend. The 22-year-old made three saves, facing an xGOT of 0.74.
James Trafford is the PFA Championship Players' Player of the Year. 🏆#PFAawards. pic.twitter.com/ANF4BzqxKu
— PFA (@PFA) August 19, 2025
Man City fended off competition from Newcastle United to sign the highly rated goalkeeper. Despite getting Trafford, the Cityzens are on the lookout for another goalkeeper, with Gianluigi Donnarumma emerging as their top target.
Man City Could Offload Trafford for Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma, whose agent has threatened PSG with legal action, is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. If he moves to the Etihad Stadium, he would not settle for a No. 2 role, leaving James Trafford’s Man City future up in the air.
According to journalist Tyrone Marshall, Pep Guardiola would pick Donnarumma over Man City academy graduate Trafford. Trafford is unlikely to warm the bench for Manchester City, which could lead to his exit as early as next summer.
🚨 There's potential for James Trafford to leave Manchester City as soon as next summer if Gianluigi Donnarumma is signed.
(Source: @TyMarshall_MEN) pic.twitter.com/wNVGrqq7jK
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 21, 2025
Trafford may not have a shortage of suitors if he moves on in 2026. Since he would still have four years left on his deal, City may prefer to keep their options open and just loan him out for a season or two.
Fans Accuse City of Hurting Trafford’s Career
A sizeable chunk of fans do not think Man City need Gianluigi Donnarumma. They believe a move for the Italian would take a toll on James Trafford’s budding career.
@ansh_manutd advised Trafford to leave for the sake of his career.
“He should leave Or else his career will take a back seat,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He should leave Or else his career will take a back seat.
— Anshumaan! (@ansh_manutd) August 21, 2025
@DivvyBet said the move for Donnarumma did not make sense.
“Donnarumma can’t play from the back, isn’t that why he lost his spot at PSG? Why then would Pep want him? Makes no sense”
@KelvinDivine7 sent a warning to Trafford:
“He should leave
“Man City wants to finish his growing career”
Manchester United fan @TheBrunology chimed in, saying:
“Man City just ruining careers left and right.”
While Trafford seemingly has a bright career ahead of him, Donnarumma has the often-decisive big match experience. He has won multiple league titles and the UEFA Champions League with PSG. He also proved decisive for Italy as they won the European Championship in 2021.
