Stuart Pearce has told James Trafford to think long-term, amid Gianluigi Donnarumma’s imminent arrival at Manchester City.
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper is expected to complete a move to the Etihad Stadium on transfer deadline day, with a deal reportedly agreed and a medical set for this afternoon.
Donnarumma would likely replace long-standing no.1 Ederson, who is closing in on a move to Fenerbahce.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported a fee worth around £12million has been agreed between the Turkish giants and City.
But it looked as though the Citizens had already prepared for Ederson’s exit earlier this summer, when they re-signed James Trafford from Burnley.
The 22-year-old rejoined his former club in a deal worth £27m in July, and has started each of their first three Premier League games.
Man City wasn’t the only option available to Trafford, who turned down Newcastle in favour of a return to Manchester.
However, with Donnarumma now likely to compete with him for a starting spot between the sticks, the England Under-21 shot-stopper may wish things had worked out differently.
The Italian is proven at the highest level, having lifted the Champions League with PSG in May, as well as Euro 2020 with Italy.
England hero Pearce, though, has urged Trafford to see Donnarumma’s arrival as a potential learning opportunity.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Pearce said of Trafford: “You’ll probably be a little bit disappointed, but you’ve got a top goalkeeper there as well – Donnarumma.
“If I was advising him, I would say: ‘Look, at the age you are at the moment, see this as a positive if Donnarumma comes in.
‘You’ve got competition, so you’ve got to up your game and also you’ve got two great role models that have been around the block to learn from over the next year or so’.
“I would use it as a positive rather than a negative.”
Trafford has mixed success in his early City career, with his side losing two of their first three games, including a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham where he was at fault for one of their goals.
As well as the likely addition of Donnarumma, Trafford will also have to compete with Stefan Ortega at City, who has proven himself a reliable option when called upon.
But Donnarumma will be looking to revive his career at the Etihad, who has seen his time at PSG come to a disappointing end.
The 26-year-old was brutally axed by head coach Luis Enrique, who informed him this summer that he was surplus to requirements following the signing of Lucas Chevalier from Lille.
This came just months after he helped the Parisians to a first-ever Champions League title, as well as another Ligue 1 title.
Donnarumma all but confirmed his exit from the French giants earlier this month in an emotional statement.
As well as thanking the club’s supporters, he wrote: “Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team’s success.
“I am disappointed and disheartened.
“I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done.”
And the Italy keeper was granted his wish, as he bid an emotional farewell on the pitch after PSG’s season-opening win over Angers.