Leeds United are closing in on a club-record £45m deal to sign goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City. The 23-year-old England international, who spent last season as an understudy, is set to become the Whites’ third summer signing amid interest from rival suitors.
Club-Record Pursuit and Financial Terms
Leeds United are advancing in talks to secure James Trafford from Manchester City in a transaction that will comfortably eclipse the club’s previous transfer benchmark. Sky Sports News understands that the proposed transfer for the England international is understood to be worth at least £40m plus add-ons, which is a record for an English goalkeeper. The deal is worth £40million plus bonuses and is in the process of being finalised, with the total cost running up to £45million.
That figure shatters Leeds’ former record acquisition, which was Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim for around £35.5m in January 2023. The Whites are close to sealing a £40million switch plus bonuses, which would take spending to above £74m, having also acquired Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo for £34m and Harry Wilson – who made his Leeds debut against Wrexham on Sunday – for free. Trafford is widely expected to become Leeds’ third signing of the summer, following the earlier arrivals of Harry Wilson and Tarik Muharemovic.
Manchester City Understudy Seeking Regular Minutes
Trafford returns to the market following a campaign at the Etihad Stadium where he played 17 times for City last season – four times in the Premier League – after returning to the Etihad from Burnley and won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. He started his career at City, having loan spells at Accrington and Bolton, before leaving for Burnley in 2023, and made 73 appearances for Burnley previously. Trafford returned to City last season believing he would become the club’s first choice.
Trafford was informed earlier this summer by new Man City manager Enzo Maresca that Gianligui Donnarumma would stay as the first choice at the Etihad Stadium, sparking the back-up shot-stopper to engage in exit talks. Trafford was part of England’s World Cup squad this summer but did not play.
Beating Premier League Rivals to the Punch
Leeds moved swiftly past other suitors to secure the England international, who has hopes of succeeding Jordan Pickford as England’s number one and knows he must gain regular game time in order to achieve this goal – something Leeds can offer. Newcastle United had been among Trafford’s suitors this summer with The Athletic reporting on July 21 that he had been their primary option, but they were no longer considering a move after the north-east club rekindled their interest earlier. Aston Villa also held an interest in him this summer, although Villa now expect Emi Martinez to stay at the club.
With Elland Road offering a destination, the 23-year-old was leaning towards a move to Elland Road.
Clearing the Path at Elland Road
The impending arrival of Trafford triggers an immediate reshuffle of Leeds’ goalkeeping department. Finding a new first-choice goalkeeper is a priority for Leeds this summer after Karl Darlow’s exit to Manchester United on a free transfer, and Illan Meslier left Elland Road this summer.
Lucas Perri remains at the club, having been displaced by Darlow during the 2025-26 season, with Alex Cairns also in the squad. Perri, who was dropped by boss Daniel Farke last season, did not play in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle on 7 January. There is the potential for Perri to depart this summer amid interest from Torino, but Leeds are unwilling to part with the Brazilian until they have brought in at least one goalkeeper.
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