Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has admitted he was unaware of the club’s plans to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma when he rejoined for £31 million last summer, casting doubt on his future at the Etihad.
James Trafford has admitted he was surprised by Manchester City’s opportunistic signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma just weeks after his own high-profile return from Burnley.
The 23-year-old, who rejected interest from Newcastle to rejoin his boyhood club, started the first three games of the season before the Italian arrived from PSG.
Reflecting on the sudden change in hierarchy, Trafford told reporters, “I didn’t expect the situation to happen but it happened.”
Since Donnarumma’s arrival, Trafford has been restricted to just eight appearances, primarily in domestic cup competitions, including Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Salford City.
With his spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad now in jeopardy, the goalkeeper has refused to rule out a summer departure despite being less than a year into a five-year contract. Remaining professional, he noted, “It is what it is, it’s football.”
NEWS NOW:
- Player Ratings: Yamal and Ferran disappoint as Barcelona lose top spot in Girona
- Lamine Yamal’s penalty miss costly as Barcelona surrenders LaLiga lead in Girona loss
- Arteta cites injury crisis as Arsenal’s title pressure mounts
- Chris Kavanagh and assistant axed by Premier League after Newcastle controversy