Trafford joins Leeds for £45m as Rodri pushes for Barcelona move

Trafford gone, Leeds pay up to £45m

James Trafford is a Leeds United player. The deal, worth up to £45m, makes him Leeds' most expensive signing ever (1) (7) (9). City retain a 20% sell-on clause and matching rights (1). Trafford returned from a Burnley loan just last summer in a £27m move, and now he is gone. The goalkeeper market has shifted fast.

Rodri wants Barcelona, not Madrid

Rodri's agent has told Real Madrid the midfielder prefers Barcelona if he leaves this summer (3) (6). That changes the bidding. Barcelona now have formal permission to approach City, and with both Spanish giants in the race, the price can only go up. One report suggests City's valuation could climb significantly (6).

Maresca wants Enzo Fernandez as the replacement

Enzo Maresca has identified Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez as his primary target to replace Rodri in midfield (4). The two worked together at Chelsea. Meanwhile, City have also contacted the camp of a Liverpool midfielder as a fallback option (5). The midfield rebuild is taking shape.

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Doku back, and he is staying

Jeremy Doku is set to return to training and has committed his future to the club (2). After an injury-hit period, that is a double win ahead of the new season. Pace and directness on the wing, sorted.

Grealish, Marmoush, Reijnders could all go

Jack Grealish is expected to leave before the window closes. Omar Marmoush and Tijjani Reijnders could follow (6). Mateo Kovacic is staying. City have already signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, and more moves are likely as Maresca shapes his squad (6).

Kerolin skipped pre-season before Barcelona move

The women's team lost Kerolin to Barcelona for a record £1.25m, but the circumstances were messy. The Brazil forward failed to report for pre-season training before the switch was announced (8). City were caught off guard.

Fan-reaktioner

The Trafford sale has split opinion. Some fans see £45m for a backup goalkeeper as good business, especially with the sell-on clause attached. The Rodri saga is the bigger story, and most supporters agree: if he has to leave, Barcelona hurts less than Real Madrid. Read the full discussion here.

Sources

  • 1. ge.globo.com — Clube recém promovido a Premier League gasta R$ 310,7 milhões em goleiro reserva do Manchester City
  • 2. uk.sports.yahoo.com — Man City get double Jeremy Doku boost ahead of Arsenal game
  • 3. managingmadrid.com — Rodri chooses Barcelona over Real Madrid as Manchester City exit takes shape — report
  • 4. uk.sports.yahoo.com — Enzo Maresca identifies Premier League star as 'dream' successor to Rodri as Man City prepare for life after Spanish anchor
  • 5. football365.com — Man City contact Liverpool midfielder’s camp to replace Rodri – report
  • 6. footballinsider247.com — Why Rodri's price tag could skyrocket as Man City exit edges closer
  • 7. bbc.co.uk — Trafford joins Leeds from Man City in potential £45m deal
  • 8. theguardian.com — Kerolin failed to report for pre-season at Manchester City before Barcelona switch
  • 9. vi.nl — Leeds haalt tweede doelman van Man City voor veertig miljoen euro
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