Leeds United have opened formal negotiations with Manchester City to sign goalkeeper James Trafford in an ambitious summer move. The 23-year-old England international is reportedly leaning toward a switch to Elland Road after a frustrating season as a backup at the Etihad Stadium.
Daniel Farke and Leeds United Goalkeeping Target James Trafford
The pursuit of Trafford marks a pivotal moment for Leeds United as manager Daniel Farke works to rebuild his squad’s goalkeeping ranks. Following the departures of Karl Darlow to Manchester United and Illan Meslier to Arsenal, the West Yorkshire club urgently needs a definitive first-choice option between the posts. Trafford has emerged as the top target for the role, with talks underway between the two clubs.
Trafford is Leeds’ top target as the club search for a new goalkeeper and negotiations are underway with Manchester City to strike a deal.
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City Season for James Trafford
The Etihad Stagnation: Why Trafford Wants Out
Trafford rejoined Manchester City last summer from Burnley in a £27m plus add ons deal, returning to the club where he developed through the academy system. He came back under the clear impression that he would serve as the club’s number-one goalkeeper for the campaign. Instead, City completed a deadline-day move for Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain, which restricted Trafford’s playing time.
That arrival relegated Trafford to the bench for the vast majority of the season, leading to former manager Pep Guardiola leaving him on the bench. He managed just 17 total appearances across all competitions last season — four times in the Premier League. While he featured heavily in domestic cup competitions as City won the League Cup and FA Cup, starting every match in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup as City lifted both trophies, his lack of regular league action proved difficult to accept.
Trafford said in February that being No 2 “wasn’t what I expected” and that he “tried to guard against the situation happening”. With ambitions to challenge Jordan Pickford to become England’s number one goalkeeper, Trafford is keen to leave the Etihad this summer in search of a first-choice role and wants assurances over his first-team role.
Newcastle United Pursuit of Zion Suzuki and Carl Rushworth
Newcastle United Exit the Race
Leeds are not the only club that coveted the young goalkeeper’s signature. Newcastle United held a long-standing interest in Trafford, having tried to sign him last summer before his move to City. The Magpies renewed their pursuit this summer, and Newcastle and Aston Villa both held an interest in him this summer, although Villa now expect Emi Martinez to stay at the club. The Athletic reported earlier this week that Trafford was Newcastle’s primary option, but the St. James’ Park club are no longer considering a move. Trafford was discussed during talks with City over Sandro Tonali (who eventually joined Tottenham Hotspur) but Newcastle have been looking at alternatives — including Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Carl Rushworth of Brighton & Hove Albion. Newcastle have signed 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen from Reims, and first-choice Nick Pope could leave if another senior option is brought in.
Newcastle United also interested & #NUFC made club-to-club contact, but 23yo #MCFC goalkeeper leaning towards Elland Road + #LUFC now working to land England international. Newcastle United no longer considering James Trafford as option for goalkeeper signing. According to The Athletic, Trafford is ‘leaning towards’ a move to Leeds this summer, despite rival interest from former suitors Newcastle.
Financial Hurdles and Manchester City’s Valuation
Manchester City will look to recoup the substantial investment they made when bringing Trafford back from Turf Moor. City signed Trafford for a fee of around £31m last summer and will expect to recoup that transfer fee. Trafford made 73 appearances for the Clarets before City activated their buy back option last summer for £27m plus add ons. He was the undisputed No 1 for Burnley in the previous two seasons, and was an integral member of the defence which conceded just 16 goals in 46 Championship matches.
Current Goalkeeping Landscape at Elland Road
Leeds are looking for a new goalkeeper after Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier left Elland Road this summer, with Darlow ending the season as No 1 and departing on a free transfer to Manchester United. Goalkeepers Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns remain on the books. Leeds still have second-choice Lucas Perri, signed from Lyon on a four-year deal last summer, and third-choice Alex Cairns on their books. However, Perri lost his place to Darlow in the second half of last season and did not play in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle on 7 January.
Sources: bbc.co.uk.
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