Leeds United enter talks for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford
The Championship club is in discussions with the Premier League champions over the England international, who has seen his playing time restricted following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Leeds United have initiated discussions with Manchester City regarding the potential transfer of goalkeeper James Trafford. The move comes as the club seeks to address a vacancy in the position following the summer exits of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier from Elland Road.
Trafford, who secured the Carabao Cup and FA Cup with Manchester City last season, has faced reduced opportunities at the Etihad Stadium. His playing time was further constrained after the Premier League club signed Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain in September. Despite making 17 appearances last season, including four in the Premier League, the England international has not featured for the national team during this summer’s World Cup.
The 26-year-old began his career at Manchester City before loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderley. He joined Burnley in 2023, where he made 73 appearances, before the club activated a buy-back option last summer for a fee of £27 million plus add-ons.
Leeds’ current goalkeeping options are limited to Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns. Perri lost his starting place to Darlow in the second half of the previous season and has not played in the Premier League since a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle on 7 January.
While Trafford had previously been linked with moves to Newcastle United and Aston Villa, the latter now expect Emi Martinez to remain at the club. It remains unclear whether Leeds will successfully secure the signature of the goalkeeper, who started his career at Manchester City.
