England under-21 youth international and highly-rated Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is in advanced talks over a move to Burnley, according to reports.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 20-year-old is currently away on international duty with England, starring at the ongoing under-21 European

Championships, and keeping clean sheets in all of his four consecutive 90 minutes en route to a semi-final clash with Israel

under-21s later this week.

 

James Trafford has never been short of confidence in his ability to reach the very top of the game, and has spoken about his

belief of playing for England’s senior squad, as well as featuring in the Premier League and Champions League further down

the line in his career.

 

Trafford now appears poised to play in the Premier League next season after loan stints at Accrington Stanley and Bolton

Wanderers in consecutive seasons. His parent club Manchester City is in advanced talks with one of the division’s

newcomers.

 

According to talkSPORT, who broke the story first, Manchester City and James Trafford are in advanced negotiations on a

£19 million transfer to Burnley, a newly promoted Premier League team led by Etihad legend Vincent Kompany.

 

It is stated that James Trafford is available for sale with the possibility of a buy-back clause being placed into the contract,

with the understanding that the choice to include such a term is a direct result of how highly the player is regarded.

 

As per Jack Gaughan of MailSport, it is stated that the initial fee is in fact £15 million potentially rising to £19 million, with a

20% sell-on clause for Manchester City. There is also likely to be a buy-back clause in the deal as well as matching rights.

 

James Trafford acknowledged this month that he still holds out hope that one day he would participate in the Champions

League and get to England’s senior team. His remarks were reported by MailSport.

 

The Champions League and playing for England are Trafford’s long-term objectives. “You have to be one of the top four

teams in England if you want to play in the Champions League.”

 

“I feel I will be at that level,” he concluded, “whether it’s Man City or any other of the great clubs. If given the chance, I could

perform. The most crucial thing for goalies is to be playing, and it is really difficult if you aren’t.

 

In his four under-21 European Championship 90 minutes for England so far this summer, James Trafford has been one of

the stand-out performers, registering 148 touches and making 87 accurate passes.

 

A total of 10 saves have also been made by the Manchester City Academy graduate in those matches, nine of which were

executed inside the penalty area, whilst also accompanying those glowing numbers with a further 11 accurate long balls –

further evidence of his on-the-ball excellence.

 

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As you might expect given his La Masia roots, Tenas is a goalkeeper very confident with the ball at his feet. And any

glovesman in a Kompany team must be capable of operating almost as an extra outfield player, given the manager’s

possession-orientated gameplan.

 

If Burnley opt for a more experienced option, the Clarets could go for Royal Antwerp’s Jean Butez. Butez kept 27 clean

sheets in all competitions as Antwerp secured the Jupiler League title for the first time since 1957 last season, and the

Belgian champions will not stand in his way if Burnley step up their interest.

 

“Jean had his best season ever,” CEO Sven Jaecques tells Gazet van Antwerpen .

“At the age of 28, he has reached a good age to make a transfer. And (he has) already indicated that he wants to take the next

step.

“If that opportunity comes, we will not block Jean. Provided that the right price is offered.”