Manchester City transfer news: Citizens 'edging closer' to signing James Trafford replacement

By Saikat Mandal | 06 Aug 2026 16:00

Manchester City are reportedly closing successful connected a woody to motion Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli during the summertime transportation window.

The Citizens are preparing for a caller epoch arsenic they cogwheel up for their archetypal Premier League run successful much than a decennary without Pep Guardiola astatine the helm.

Supporters volition beryllium hoping for a seamless modulation nether Enzo Maresca, and City person already made respective eye-catching additions this summer.

Man City adjacent to signing Geronimo Rulli? 

The Premier League giants person moved swiftly to place a replacement for James Trafford, who is connected the verge of completing a determination to Leeds United.

City person already submitted an connection for Rulli, with the experienced 34-year-old expected to instrumentality to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

According to Fabrizio Romano, City are edging ever person to reaching an statement with Marseille, with negotiations betwixt the 2 clubs progressing positively.

Rulli joined the French outfit permanently from Ajax successful August 2024 and made 73 appearances during his clip astatine the club, including 29 outings past season.

The Argentina international, who was an unused substitute during his country's tally to the 2026 World Cup final, was antecedently connected City's books aft signing successful 2016, though helium ne'er made a elder quality earlier departing for Real Sociedad.

James Trafford: Good determination for the England keeper

Having progressed done City's academy, Trafford besides failed to marque a first-team quality earlier joining Burnley successful the summertime of 2023.

His awesome displays for the Clarets convinced City to bring him backmost successful a woody worthy £31m, but helium has managed lone 17 appearances crossed each competitions since returning.

The 23-year-old is present closing successful connected a £45m determination to Leeds United and is expected to acquisition his aesculapian shortly.

With Trafford anxious to unafraid regular first-team shot and City acceptable to recoup a steadfast transportation fee, the determination appears to correspond a sensible result for each parties involved.