Pep Guardiola breaks stunning transfer landmark with Manchester City’s latest signing

The goalkeeper returns to the Premier League giants on a five-year deal with an option to extend it by a further year, two years after he was sold to the Clarets for £14m.

Trafford, who is on an extensive list of successful graduates from the City academy, is now set for first-team appearances in Manchester.

And it’s deal that sees boss Pep Guardiola make a stunning piece of history in the transfer market.

The Spaniard has become the first manager to spend €2billion ($3.55b AUD) on signings in history, as per Transfermarkt.

Guardiola tops the overall charts by some distance too as Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone sits second on €1.31bn.

AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has spent €1.2bn, with now England manager Thomas Tuchel on €1.19bn and Napoli’s Antonio Conte at €1.16bn.

Trafford is signing no.111 for Guardiola across his career at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, but ranks as the 34th most expensive.

City were able to beat Newcastle in the race to sign the 22-year-old. The England Under-21 star equalled the record for the most clean sheets in one season across the top four leagues in England with 29.

Trafford featured in the 2024/25 Championship Team of the Season and also won the Golden Glove award for his efforts at Burnley.

He is now set to compete alongside Ederson for the starting spot at City, with Stefan Ortega set to leave.

City’s spending this summer has now totalled around £153m. Tijjani Reijnders remains their most expensive acquisition in the window with a £46.3m move from AC Milan.

MAN UNITED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO STRIKERS AS NICOLAS JACKSON BID RULED OUT

Manchester United are exploring deals for both Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins, talkSPORT understands.

The Red Devils have narrowed their striker shortlist down to two players. Talks over signing Watkins from Aston Villa have already taken place. His current club would prefer to keep hold of their all-time leading Premier League scorer and will not entertain a sale without signing a replacement first.

Villa value Watkins at £60million, but United think a deal could be possible for less if they find another striker.

Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim’s side are also pursuing Sesko in a move driven by head of scouting Christopher Vivell.

RB Leipzig are still asking for over £70million for the Slovenian international. United also face competition from Newcastle, who are currently more advanced in discussions.

Both clubs are hoping the German side’s asking price drops closer to £60million. However, a bid for Nicolas Jackson remains unlikely and has been ruled out for now.

It is not a deal United are currently working on due to the cost.

Who could leave United this summer?

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund are debating whether to make an approach for Jadon Sancho.

United are prepared to sell the 25-year-old for £17million.

Their asking price has now dropped lower than Chelsea’s £25m obligation to buy, whilst Juventus are still in talks with Sancho as well.

Alejandro Garnacho also still expected to leave in the coming weeks and is prioritising a move within the Premier League.

The Argentine winger would welcome an approach from Chelsea, who could potentially sign both Xavi Simons and Garnacho.

Villa is another potential destination for Garnacho, who has three years left on his deal at Old Trafford.

Originally published as Pep Guardiola breaks stunning transfer landmark with Manchester City’s latest signing