James Trafford is expected to be confirmed as a Manchester City player early next week. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Trafford is set to complete his medical with the club early next week before completing his £27 million move from Burnley to City. Trafford left City for Burnley in June 2023.

James Trafford’s imminent return to City shows that there is a path back to the club for young players who are sold by the club. Provided that they take the next step in their careers the path back to the club that sold them is there. James Trafford’s story is a success story in this regard.

Each summer talented young players are sold by Manchester City.

Every summer, Manchester City sells talented young players across Europe and throughout England. This summer Maximo Perrone was sold by City to Como. Jordan Campbell reported for The Athletic that Como signed Perrone in a deal worth up to €15 million. Furthermore, Campbell reports that the deal included a 30% sell-on clause and a buy-back clause. The opportunity is there for Perrone to one day return to City. But he will have to further develop as a player at Como for this to occur. That is the path James Trafford took when he left City. He backed himself to grow as a player at Burnley. Trafford did exactly that. He will return to Pep Guardiola’s side a better keeper who stands every chance of making it at City.

James Trafford’s imminent return to City is a success story. It shows that there is a path back to the Etihad for players who are sold by City. There are only so many spots available in Pep Guardiola’s squad. So it is wise of Manchester City to sell young players who have the talent and potential to eventually make the grade at the Etihad. The club makes a tidy profit in the transfer market, and by inserting buy-back clauses in the deals, they maintain a semblance of control over the player sold. It is a solid method of business. It puts the onus back on the player to kick on to allow themselves to have a shot at returning to City.

James McAtee could one day become the next player to follow James Trafford’s path.

It is expected that James McAtee will leave Manchester City this summer. As Jamie Jackson reported for the Guardian, it is expected that a buy-back clause will be inserted in any deal that sees McAtee sold by City. There is little doubt that McAtee has the potential and talent to make it at Manchester City. He just needs regular first-team football that isn’t available to him as a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad. If McAtee does leave Manchester City and grows as a player it won’t be a surprise to see him follow in James Trafford’s footsteps.

James Trafford’s imminent return to Manchester City shows the path back to Manchester City. Trafford bet on himself to one day return to the Etihad. He is set to do exactly that. The young goalkeeper returns a better player and one capable of becoming a mainstay of the Manchester City line-up for years to come. But by achieving his goal of returning to City he has also shown that it can be done. Leaving City can only be a temporary stop for the young players City sell. They have the potential to return to the club if they further develop as players away from Manchester City.