James Trafford’s return path to City from Burnley (~£31m) lasted barely a blink once Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived. Leeds paid £40m to make him first choice again.
Keeper market context
| Move | Fee | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Trafford → Leeds | £40M | No.1 platform |
| Prior City return | ~£31M | Then demoted |
| Donnarumma → City | Prior | Blocked pathway |
“City will bank the windfall now. They may regret the minutes he never got.”
- Leeds get a high-ceiling English keeper in his early 20s
- City tidy a surplus after Donnarumma’s arrival
- Fee ranks among the costliest goalkeeper transfers ever