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A new keeper looks set to arrive at Manchester City
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- A new keeper looks set to arrive at Manchester City
A new keeper looks set to arrive at Manchester City
It is highly likely that Manchester City will be in the market for a backup goalkeeper this summer. With how the 2025-26 season played out for James Trafford, it seems likely that he will depart the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders this summer. One goalkeeper who has been continually linked with a move to City is Sheffield Wednesday's promising young keeper Pierce Charles.
It now appears that Charles is edging closer to signing for City. However, a loan move may beckon for the Northern Ireland international, which does create some doubt surrounding Manchester City's goalkeeping situation.
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Manchester City are on the verge of signing Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday.
Multiple reports have emerged stating that Manchester City are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday.
First of all, Fabrizio Romano has reported that Pierce Charles has agreed to return to City. Charles briefly spent time in City's youth system before moving to Sheffield Wednesday. Furthermore, Romano reports that City have agreed a deal to sign Pierce Charles with only formalities between the two clubs left to be finalised. Lastly, Romano adds that City are yet to decide whether Charles will remain at the club for next season or head out on loan.
TalkSport have also reported that Manchester City are close to bringing Pierce Charles back to the club from Sheffield Wednesday. However, TalkSport report that it is unlikely that Charles will figure in a first team role at City. The young goalkeeper is expected to be sent out on loan to further develop as a keeper, TalkSport add.
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If Pierce Charles is sent out on loan by City for next season, the goalkeeping situation will still need to be solved.
Pierce Charles ticks the right boxes if Manchester City are in the market for a young goalkeeper. Charles is good with his feet, which is a prerequisite skill needed by a City keeper. He's a very good shot stopper and he showed at Sheffield Wednesday that he can command his penalty area well. Charles is only 20 years of age with plenty of scope to improve as a goalkeeper.
The immediate thought when City were first linked with Pierce Charles was that he'd step into the City squad to be Gianluigi Donnarumma's understudy. However, that may not be the case.
If Manchester City do send Charles out on loan, and James Trafford departs the club as expected, City will need a backup goalkeeper. However, it remains to be seen how Enzo Maresca views Manchester City's goalkeeping situation. Maresca could view Trafford as the ideal keeper for his team. Maresca does demand that his goalkeeper plays an important role in his team's build-up play from the back and Trafford does this better than Donnarumma. However, it is hard to see Donnarumma being a backup keeper given how vital his presence, shot-stopping and leadership is to his team.
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Final thoughts.
Manchester City are edging closer to signing Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday. Charles could prove to be a shrewd signing for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. However, if he is loaned out by City, which is a possibility, it does raise questions about how Manchester City's goalkeeping situation will play out this summer.
