‘My sources tell me deal is close’ – Man City finalising signing of £400,000-a-wk star
Manchester City’s move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma won’t immediately affect James Trafford’s starting prospects.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson tipped Trafford to start next season between the sticks despite City’s pursuit of Donnarumma.
Luis Enrique‘s public announcement that Donnarumma isn’t in PSG’s plans has alerted Pep Guardiola to his availability, and Robinson has told Football Insider that Man City are close to agreeing a deal for him.
Football Insider revealed on 12 August that Man City are ready to beat Man United to Donnarumma’s signature and the £400,000 weekly wages which come with it, despite signing Trafford just weeks ago.
Man City’s fans don’t want Donnarumma if it means their new number one will languish on the bench this season, but Robinson told Football Insider that Trafford’s place is assured for the start of the campaign.
Robinson told Football Insider that Trafford is already Man City‘s first-choice keeper, and Guardiola all-but confirmed that after confirming that Ederson won’t feature in their Premier League opener at Wolves.
Donnarumma and Trafford to ‘battle’ for Man City starting spot
This article contains exclusive comment from Paul Robinson, a football pundit and former England, Tottenham and Leeds goalkeeper.
Football Insider revealed last month that Ederson is ready to complete a transfer to Galatasaray this summer, and the signing of Trafford in the weeks since has underlined Man City’s new goalkeeping plan.
Speaking on the latest Inside Track podcast, Robinson argued that if Donnarumma does arrive as new competition for Trafford at the Etihad, the 22-year-old will still be given Guardiola’s backing to start.
“It would be a massive signing for them”, Robinson told Football Insider.
“I was at the Super Cup final and all the talk coming into the game was about PSG, Donnarumma and the huge decision that Luis Enrique has taken.
“It’s irreparable, that relationship, with the way that it’s been handled, but it looks like it’s going to be Manchester City’s gain.
“Spending a lot of time here [in Italy], in and around journalists and my sources, I’m led to believe that that’s actually quite close.
“How does it affect James Trafford? Trafford starts the season – Ederson’s been mooted for a move to Galatasaray, and they need a goalkeeper.
“If the Donnarumma deal goes through, Trafford starts the season in the Premier League – Donnarumma comes in and they will not necessarily share the gloves, but there’ll be a real battle on for who plays.”
Man City can’t afford to upset goalkeeping balance
Although Trafford returns to the Etihad with his reputation sky-high following Burnley‘s record-breaking Championship promotion win, his patchy top-flight performances the season prior cannot be ignored.
Man City hijacked Newcastle’s move for Trafford this summer to complete a £27million deal for the Clarets’ number one, and even before Donnarumma arrives, he’s the most suited to Guardiola’s football.
PSG are parting ways with Donnarumma due to his inability to suit their playing style, but with Guardiola and Enrique cut from the same philosophical cloth, it’s unclear how Man City will proceed with two top-class keepers in their ranks.