Manchester City are edging closer to signing Geronimo Rulli as the replacement for James Trafford, who is on the verge of joining Leeds United. The Premier League runners-up, who finished last season in 2nd place with 78 points (23W-9D-6L), have submitted an offer for the experienced Argentina international.
Why is Rulli returning to Manchester City?
Rulli, 34, previously spent time at the Etihad Stadium after joining in 2016 but never made a senior appearance before moving to Real Sociedad. He later joined Marseille permanently from Ajax in August 2024, making 73 appearances, including 29 last season. His return would provide much-needed depth in goal following Trafford’s expected £45m departure.
What does this mean for James Trafford?
The 23-year-old academy graduate, who cost City £31m when re-signed from Burnley in 2023, has made just 17 appearances since his return. With Trafford seeking regular first-team football, the move to Leeds United appears a sensible outcome for all parties, allowing City to recoup a significant fee.
How does this fit into Manchester City’s summer plans?
Under new manager Enzo Maresca, City are preparing for life without Pep Guardiola for the first time in over a decade. The club have already made several high-profile additions this summer, and Rulli’s experience could prove vital as they aim to bounce back from a 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa on 2026-05-24, their last result of the 2025-26 campaign.
