Man City star hints at exit after being blindsided by £26m transfer just weeks after joining

James Trafford has declared his future at Manchester City is in question following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival last summer.

The Citizens forked out an initial £27million to bring Trafford back to the Etihad – two years after he was sold to Burnley for £14m.

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He started in the opening three Premier League games of the season, before he was left blindsided by City‘s deadline day swoop to sign Donnarumma.

Pep Guardiola’s side splashed out £26m on the Italian shot-stopper in an opportunistic deal after he signalled his intentions to depart Paris Saint-Germain.

His switch has limited Trafford‘s game time, with the 23-year-old failing to feature in the top-flight since the 2-1 defeat at Brighton on August 31.

He has since been utilised as City’s cup goalkeeper, with the 2023 England Under-21 European champion featuring in 11 matches across all competitions.

Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Salford provided him with valuable minutes, with Trafford to now return to the bench as City turn their attention to catching league leaders Arsenal.

Feeling blue

Commenting on Donnarumma’s transfer, Trafford has revealed he wasn’t told the club would be signing the Euro 2020 winner.

He said: “I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it happened, so just get on with it.

“It’s happened so I work very hard every day and see what happens, give it my best shot.”

Trafford has also shut down speculation that he was told by Guardiola that he would be City’s number one choice between the sticks.

Though he has refused to rule out moving on just one year into his five-year contract.

AFP

AFP

He added: “No, it wasn’t that, but it [the plan] wasn’t what happened.

“It is what it is. It’s football, it is what it is, you’ve got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can.

“It’s just another experience to add to my career and yeah, it has been good learning.”

He continued: “Let’s take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens.

“I’ve obviously got a contract, so don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.”

His situation at City has led to his potential spot in Thomas Tuchel‘s World Cup squad in question.

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Trafford was called up by Tuchel for November’s international fixtures, but has since had no contact with the ex-Chelsea manager.

He stated: “I haven’t spoken to them [about] if that’s enough, but I play as well as I can and train every day very hard and it’s just down to me.

“Obviously everyone knows what’s going on with me, so I’ve just got to, whenever I play, play as well as I can.”