Pep Guardiola breaks stunning transfer landmark as James Trafford re-signs for Man City

Manchester City have announced the re-signing of James Trafford in a £27million deal from Burnley.

The goalkeeper returns to the Premier League giants on a five-year deal with an option to extend it by a further year, two years after he was sold to the Clarets for £14m.

Trafford, who is on an extensive list of successful graduates from the City academy, is now set for first-team appearances in Manchester.

And it’s deal that sees boss Pep Guardiola make a stunning piece of history in the transfer market.

The Spaniard has become the first manager to spend €2billion on signings in history, as per Transfermarkt.

Guardiola tops the overall charts by some distance too as Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone sits second on €1.31bn.

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has spent €1.2bn, with now England manager Thomas Tuchel on €1.19bn and Napoli’s Antonio Conte at €1.16bn.

Trafford is signing no.111 for Guardiola across his career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, but ranks as the 34th most expensive.

City were able to beat Newcastle in the race to sign the 22-year-old.

The England Under-21 star equalled the record for the most clean sheets in one season across the top four leagues in England with 29.

Trafford featured in the 2024/25 Championship Team of the Season and also won the Golden Glove award for his efforts at Burnley.

He is now set to compete alongside Ederson for the starting spot at City, with Stefan Ortega set to leave.

What Trafford said about re-joining City

“Rejoining City is such special and proud moment both for me and my family,” Trafford said.

“I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City.

“This is the place I call home – it’s a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.

“I am also so very excited and honoured to have been given the opportunity to work under Pep and with such a world-class group of players.

“I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving – and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be.

“I also cannot wait to play in front of the amazing City fans for the first time and will do everything I can to help this great club look to achieve even more success.”

City’s spending this summer has now totalled around £153m.

Tijjani Reijnders remains their most expensive acquisition in the window with a £46.3m move from AC Milan.

Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Sverre Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli are among the other arrivals alongside Trafford.

City are yet to play any pre-season fixtures after their Club World Cup last 16 exit against Al Hilal.

Only Palermo, a sister club in their City Football Group ownership, are their scheduled opponents on August 9.

Guardiola’s side then begin their 2025/26 Premier League campaign by travelling to Wolves on the opening weekend.