Manchester City will not let James Trafford leave on loan this month but Pep Guardiola admits that the goalkeeper could be on the move at the end of the season.
Trafford has not appeared in the Premier League since August having joined from Burnley in the summer, but the late arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma has hampered him with the Italian clearly the club’s No 1.
The 22-year-old has since been consigned to a number two role, featuring in Saturday’s 10-1 trouncing of Exeter City in the FA Cup, and he will start the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Newcastle on Tuesday.
“He reacted really well [to the signing of Donnarumma],” said Guardiola. “No complaints and James is a top keeper – no doubts about that. I understand the situation.
“Goalkeepers are special – it is one or the other, not like other positions where you can play someone else.”
Asked if Trafford will be allowed to leave in January, Guardiola said: “I would like him [Trafford] to stay for many, many years here because he has the attributes to play for a top club like us. James is a top keeper and there’s no doubt about that but the situation of the keepers is special, is different. We’ll see what happens at the end of the season.”
Trafford turned down the chance to move to Newcastle United in the summer, with his decision to join Man City set to see him miss the 2026 World Cup.
