No movement yet on either deal
Two pieces of goalkeeper business that have been rumbling along in the background of City's east Asia tour remain unresolved, with Enzo Maresca offering little in the way of fresh information ahead of Wednesday's friendly against K-League All Stars in Seoul.
Marseille's Geronimo Rulli is earmarked for the Etihad, while James Trafford's proposed switch to Leeds United continues to hover in the background. Both are understood to be deep into the process, but neither has crossed the finish line.
"There are no updates yet. James is still a Man City player and Rulli is still a Marseille player. So we're going to wait in the next days."
The hold-up, as far as anyone can tell, is not a matter of disagreement. Rulli has reportedly already agreed personal terms on a two-year contract, leaving the finer points of his departure from the French club as the sticking point.
Trafford's exit would open the door
Trafford, 23, has been clear about wanting regular first-team football, and Leeds have long been understood to be his destination. Both clubs are said to have agreed terms. The England man, fresh from the World Cup in North America, has been granted extra time off to rest and recover rather than joining the pre-season squad on tour.
His departure would leave a gap in City's goalkeeping ranks behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, which is precisely where Rulli fits. At 33, the Argentine brings experience from multiple top European leagues — a known quantity rather than a developmental project, which is what the situation calls for.
There is an added layer of urgency on the outgoing side. Academy product Oliver Whatmuff has already been allowed to head to Stockport County earlier than planned after a personnel crisis between the sticks at the League One club, making a swift resolution of the Trafford situation all the more pressing.
August deadline in sight
The Premier League campaign begins on 23 August against Bournemouth, and both pieces of business are expected to be wrapped up well before the full complement of World Cup returnees reports for pre-season. For now, though, patience remains the operative word.