Man City could be about to add millions to transfer kitty thanks to one man
Manchester City have Wembley on their mind as they prepare to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola and Gianluigi Donnarumma congratulate Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford(Image: Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images)
We may be two days out from the Carabao Cup final, but Manchester City already know one player who will be starting against Arsenal on Sunday. After beating Newcastle, Pep Guardiola confirmed James Trafford would be in goal against the Gunners. “He’s an extraordinary ‘keeper and I’m really pleased,” City’s head coach said.
“With the final, he’s going to play the first final of Carabao Cup for him and in FA Cup of course everything can happen.” It has been well documented how tough this season has been for Trafford. Arriving from Burnley under the impression he would eventually be the club’s first choice, the 23-year-old soon lost his spot to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian has barely put a foot wrong since arriving and that has left Trafford on the fringes. He has been consigned to FA Cup and Carabao Cup appearances. His only start in the Champions League ended in defeat to Bayer Leverkusen and Donnarumma returning for the remaining games in the competition.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
In the summer, Trafford will pursue an exit from City. The goalkeeper should be playing regular first-team football, but while Donnarumma remains in Manchester, Trafford will not get that at the Etihad Stadium. And this leaves City with a problem to solve.
Guardiola never stands in the way of a player looking for a fresh opportunity. But Trafford’s lack of game time puts a ceiling on the price City can demand for his services.
Trafford has spent the season sitting on the bench and, as a result, teams will feel they have an advantage in negotiations because he wants something City can’t provide.
Buy Carabao Cup Final VIP tickets
The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.
However, a brilliant performance in the Carabao Cup final could change the narrative. Suddenly, City could point to the final as an example of a player who is ready to step into any side and perform straightaway, rather than a player who could take time to get up to speed having spent so long playing second fiddle.
Newcastle were interested in Trafford last summer and the Magpies are likely to return at the end of the season.
Nick Pope’s time as Eddie Howe’s No.1 seems to be over and Trafford would be an improvement on Aaron Ramsdale. But performing well in a game of this magnitude will increase the interest and potentially launch a bidding war.
That would be the perfect scenario for City. Regardless of the score on Sunday, if Trafford performs, the Blues could add millions to Trafford’s price tag.