Leeds United in Talks With Manchester City to Sign Goalkeeper James Trafford

Leeds United are moving to address their goalkeeping crisis by pursuing Manchester City’s James Trafford. With the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season approaching, Daniel Farke’s side find themselves in urgent need of a new No. 1 after losing both Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier earlier this summer.

Trafford’s Move Toward Elland Road

While Newcastle United had maintained a long-term interest in the England international—having previously attempted to sign him before his return to City—the Magpies have now stepped back, leaving Leeds as the clear frontrunners for his signature.

Trafford, 23, is reportedly eager to secure a starting role. His desire for consistent first-team football follows a frustrating 2025/26 campaign at the Etihad. After returning to Manchester City from Burnley in a deal worth approximately £27 million, Trafford found himself relegated to the bench following the deadline-day arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

A Difficult Season at Manchester City

The goalkeeper made only 17 appearances across all competitions last season, with most of those minutes coming in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Reflecting on the unexpected shift in his status, Trafford admitted earlier this year that the situation was not what I expected when he rejoined the club. In February, he told reporters, I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it happened, so just get on with it.

“It wasn’t what I expected coming into the season… It’s the reality and I have to give it my best shot. It’s the situation I’m in. We train every day but making saves, it’s good fun.”

James Trafford, Manchester City goalkeeper

Despite his limited Premier League playing time, Trafford remains highly regarded. As the BBC reports, he was part of the England squad for the 2026 World Cup this summer, though he did not make an appearance. His previous two seasons at Burnley, where he was the undisputed first choice and a key part of their 2024-25 promotion-winning defense, established his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young goalkeepers.

Leeds United’s Urgent Transfer Needs

For Leeds, the pursuit of Trafford is a critical step in stabilizing their squad. The club has seen significant turnover in the goalkeeping department this summer: Karl Darlow has joined Manchester United, and Illan Meslier has moved to Arsenal. Current options on the books include Lucas Perri—who struggled for form last season—and third-choice goalkeeper Alex Cairns.

According to Sky Sports, Leeds are unwilling to sanction a departure for Perri, who has attracted interest from Torino, until they have secured a new first-choice replacement. Managing the club’s finances remains a factor; The i Paper notes that Leeds are navigating strict squad cost ratio rules and are looking to balance their books, potentially by moving current players on to fund the acquisition of a marquee target like Trafford.

As the two clubs continue discussions, no final transfer fee has been confirmed. However, with Manchester City having paid £27 million to bring him back from Burnley last summer, the club is expected to seek a substantial return on that investment. For now, the focus remains on whether Leeds can finalize the deal before the season opener, with the club facing a trip to Nottingham Forest on the first day of the campaign.