Unexpected Man City transfer bonus could boost summer funds

Manchester City will pick up an easy summer bonus with a sell-on clause for goalkeeper James Trafford ready to be activated.

Trafford came through the City academy and two spells on loan at Bolton in League One were enough for him to earn a move to Premier League newcomers Burnley last summer in a £15m deal potentially rising to £19m. Trafford struggled in a Burnley side under Vincent Kompany that never recovered from an awful start, and the 21-year-old lost his place in goal for the final 10 games of the season to fellow ex-City youth teamer Aro Muric.

Nonetheless, Trafford's stock has continued to grow. He was called up to Gareth Southgate's initial 33-man England squad for the European Championship and Liverpool, Newcastle and Bayern Munich have all been credited with an interest in signing him this year.

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City inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause in the deal that took Trafford to Burnley, meaning they will get a fifth of any profit made by the Clarets. A £20m fee being mooted for the goalkeeper would mean the Blues would receive a six- rather than seven-figure sum but any fee will be happily accepted.

Both of City's main goalkeepers have decisions to make on their futures this summer, with Stefan Ortega having previously indicated he wanted more regular game time and Ederson receiving interest from the Saudi Pro League.