Overview
- Reports on Monday say Leeds and Manchester City are close to agreeing a deal for James Trafford worth around £40m plus add‑ons, with the move still unconfirmed and awaiting final formalities.
- If completed, the fee would be a record for an English goalkeeper and would exceed Leeds’ previous club record signing, underlining the financial scale of the transfer.
- Trafford wants a permanent No.1 role after returning to Man City and becoming Gianluigi Donnarumma’s understudy, and he is reported to be leaning toward joining Leeds as their expected first‑choice keeper.
- Newcastle, who pursued Trafford in previous windows, appear likely to miss out and are exploring alternatives such as Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Brighton’s Carl Rushworth.
- Sources say the deal includes performance add‑ons and a sell‑on clause, and completion will depend on contract signings and medical checks with wider effects for Leeds’ squad build and the Premier League goalkeeper market.