Leeds negotiating with…

Leeds negotiating with…

Leeds are negotiating a deal to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.

The England international could leave the Etihad this summer, only a year after returning.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa explored moves earlier in the window, though Villa now expect Emi Martínez to remain at the club.

Leeds need a new keeper after Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier departed Elland Road this summer.

Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns are still on the books, but Perri lost the starting job to Darlow in the second half of last season and didn’t feature again in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle on 7 January.

Trafford, included in England’s World Cup squad this summer without playing, made 17 appearances for City last season—four in the Premier League—after returning from Burnley, and won both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

A City academy product, he had loan spells at Accrington and Bolton before joining Burnley in 2023.

He played 73 times for the Clarets before City triggered a buy-back clause last summer worth £27m plus add-ons.

City then brought in Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain in September, further limiting Trafford’s minutes.