Overview
- Manchester City activated a £27 million buy-back to bring James Trafford from Burnley, signing him to a five-year contract with an optional extra year at the Etihad Stadium
- City’s academy-focused approach helps meet UEFA homegrown requirements as they eye right-back reinforcements and plan senior departures to comply with squad-registration rules
- Manchester United have already spent £133.5 million on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo but still lack a traditional centre-forward for the new season
- United are targeting Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who is reportedly keen on the move but valued at £60 million, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as an alternative striker option
- Manchester United are exploring goalkeeping reinforcements by shortlisting Newcastle’s Nick Pope and PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and have opened preliminary swap talks involving Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson