Manchester City are weighing up a potential move to re-sign young goalkeeper Pierce Charles as uncertainty grows around the future of James Trafford, with the club preparing for a possible reshuffle in their goalkeeping department this summer.
The Sky Blues moved decisively less than a year ago to bring Trafford back to the Etihad Stadium, activating a matching clause in July 2025 to secure his return from Burnley for a reported £27m.
That deal came amid strong interest from Newcastle United, who had been close to agreeing a transfer before City intervened.
At the time, Trafford was widely expected to step into a leading role under manager Pep Guardiola. However, those plans shifted dramatically when City opted to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for around £26m early in September.
Despite being handed the No.1 shirt, Trafford has found opportunities limited. The England international has made just 14 appearances in all competitions and has not started a Premier League match since late August.
While he did play a part in City’s recent success — keeping a clean sheet in their EFL Cup final victory over Arsenal — his role has largely been that of deputy to Donnarumma.
Trafford’s stock remains high both domestically and internationally. He earned his senior debut for England under Thomas Tuchel in a match against Japan at the end of March, underlining his continued development and reputation as one of the country’s brightest goalkeeping prospects.
City, for their part, have been keen to retain the 23-year-old, who is contracted until June 2030. Yet there is an expectation that Trafford could seek a move away in pursuit of regular first-team football.
Both Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur are understood to be monitoring his situation closely as the transfer window approaches.
City consider Charles return amid Trafford uncertainty
With doubts surrounding Trafford’s long-term role, City have begun exploring contingency plans — and Charles has emerged as a notable option.
The 20-year-old, who previously spent time in City’s academy, left for Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 16 in search of senior opportunities.
Since then, Charles has progressed steadily, making 32 appearances for the Owls’ first team. During an injury-disrupted 2025-26 campaign, he featured 15 times in the Championship, gaining valuable experience despite the club’s struggles.
His performances have not gone unnoticed. Charles is now regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young goalkeepers and has already collected 10 caps for Northern Ireland.
His latest international outing came in last month’s World Cup play-off semi-final defeat to Italy national football team.
According to TEAMtalk, City’s interest in Charles is partly shaped by familiarity with his development, having overseen his early years in their academy system.
A return to Manchester could offer the player an opportunity to continue his growth at the highest level, while also providing City with a long-term option between the posts.
Growing competition for highly rated goalkeeper
However, City are not alone in tracking Charles. A number of clubs across England are said to be following his progress, including Tottenham, Newcastle, Leeds United and Championship leaders Coventry City.
Interest is also emerging from multi-club ownership groups. BlueCo, the consortium with stakes in Chelsea and Strasbourg, are reportedly considering a move that would see Charles join the French side, potentially allowing Mike Penders to return to Stamford Bridge and compete for a starting role.
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Financial uncertainty at Sheffield Wednesday could play a significant part in any deal. The club remains in a difficult position, increasing the likelihood that key players may be sold.
Charles, in particular, is attracting attention as he approaches the final 12 months of his contract at Hillsborough.
As things stand, Manchester City are understood to be firmly in the race for his signature. Much may depend on Trafford’s next move — whether he stays to fight for his place or departs in search of regular minutes.
Either way, City appear to be planning ahead, ensuring they are prepared for all possible outcomes in a position that has become increasingly fluid over the past year.
