Morgan Rogers reacts to James Trafford’s message after Man City agreement
James Trafford has completed an emotional return to Manchester City as they explore a similar deal for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
Man City‘s academy has been a conveyor belt of talent throughout the Premier League in recent years, and clubs like Aston Villa and Chelsea have hugely benefitted by plucking youngsters from the Etihad.
Rogers is one who has gone from strength to strength since leaving City’s academy for Middlesbrough in 2023, and the playmaker’s form for Aston Villa has led to a £100million price tag being placed on him.
Pep Guardiola has planned more changes in Man City’s academy with several fringe players set to be let go this summer, but that hasn’t stopped him swooping for ‘one that got away’ in the form of Trafford.
Man City confirm James Trafford transfer
Trafford‘s future had long been the subject of speculation this summer after he kept a record 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals for Burnley, helping them seal promotion back to the Premier League.
Newcastle United were the clear front-runners to sign Trafford with a £40m bid lined up, but Man City then exercised their buy-back clause in the 22-year-old’s contract just two years after he left the Etihad.
Guardiola’s last-ditch hijack of Trafford’s transfer laid a clear path for him to return to Man City, and they announced the signing of the England goalkeeper on 29 July with the fee knocked down to £27m.
After a similarly emotional announcement of his exit from Burnley, Trafford posted on Instagram to send a welcome message to Man City’s fans, in which he said: “Back home where I belong”.
Rogers was one of several former team-mates to leave comments in support, saying: “Congrats brother”.
Rogers return unlikely as Man City spending continues
Football Insider Verdict
Guardiola may have spent over £150m this summer including £34m on Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, but it’s arguable that his greater focus has been on shipping out several unwanted players at Man City.
Jack Grealish and James McAtee headline the list of stars Guardiola is keen to move on, and the latter’s expected departure will net City a 100 per cent PSR profit due to his status as an academy graduate.
Two attacking, wide players moving on could open the door for a potential return to the Etihad for Rogers this summer, but with Guardiola keen to reduce the size of his squad, a £100m deal for Rogers will have to wait until next summer at the earliest.