Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly preparing for the potential departure of two players when the January transfer window opens, as the summer signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma continues to reshape the squad.
Donnarumma's Arrival Triggers Goalkeeper Exodus
The situation stems from City's deadline-day acquisition of Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for £27 million. This major move, following the summer exit of long-time number one Ederson to Fenerbahce, has created a significant bottleneck for playing time between the posts at the Etihad Stadium.
According to reports, both James Trafford and Stefan Ortega are now keen to secure moves away in search of regular first-team football. Trafford, 23, only returned to City from Burnley in the summer but finds himself marginalised after starting the season as the apparent first choice.
World Cup Ambitions Fuel Trafford's Desire to Leave
For Trafford, the motivation is particularly clear. England manager Thomas Tuchel has emphasised the need for his squad members to be playing regular club football ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Trafford's chances of making the Three Lions squad are seen as diminishing while he remains on the bench.
The young keeper started City's first three Premier League games but has been an unused substitute for the last ten league matches, with Donnarumma firmly installed as Guardiola's preferred choice. He has featured in the Carabao Cup and one Champions League fixture, but this is not considered sufficient for international aspirations.
Ortega's situation is even more stark. The arrival of Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea as third-choice keeper has pushed Ortega completely out of the matchday squad. He has not been included since the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
A Busy Year of Transfer Activity at the Etihad
The potential January exits would follow a period of significant squad overhaul for the Premier League champions. Over the summer, City's spending exceeded £180 million, though they recouped around £100 million from sales including Ederson, James McAtee, and Yan Couto.
This comes after an unusually active January window in 2024, when the club brought in Nico Gonzalez, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Omar Marmoush for eight-figure sums to bolster a squad that was outside the Champions League places at the time. That investment ultimately helped them secure a third-place finish.
It remains to be seen whether Guardiola will sanction further signings in the upcoming window or focus on managing departures. The futures of Trafford and Ortega now appear to be among the most pressing items on the club's winter agenda.
