Leeds United transfer news: James Trafford talks begin with Man City over deal for England goalkeeper
Newcastle and Aston Villa have also had an interest this summer in James Trafford, but Leeds are understood to be the most advanced in their pursuit; the 23-year-old played 17 times for Manchester City last term, keeping eight clean sheets
Wednesday 29 July 2026 12:22, UK
Leeds United are in talks with Manchester City over a deal for goalkeeper James Trafford.
The England international is Leeds' primary goalkeeper target.
Newcastle and Aston Villa have also had an interest this summer in Trafford, but Leeds are understood to be the most advanced in their pursuit.
- Transfer Centre LIVE! | Leeds news & transfers ⚪
- Got Sky? Watch Leeds games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
- Choose the Sky Sports push notifications you want! 🔔
The 23-year-old played 17 times for City in 2025/26, following a move back to the Etihad from Burnley, keeping eight clean sheets.
He then travelled to the 2026 World Cup with England, but did not make an appearance for Thomas Tuchel's side.
Leeds have lost goalkeepers Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier this summer, with the pair joining Man Utd and Arsenal respectively.
They are understood to be hopeful about their chances of signing Trafford.
Finding a new first-choice goalkeeper is a priority for Leeds this summer after Darlow's exit and an unconvincing debut season for Lucas Perri.
Perri, who was dropped by Daniel Farke last season, and third-choice Alex Cairns are the only senior goalkeepers currently on Leeds' books.
There is the potential for Perri to depart this summer amid interest from Torino.
However, Leeds are unwilling to part with the Brazilian until they have brought in at least one goalkeeper.
Why Trafford is viewed as next England No. 1
Gianluigi Donnarumma's arrival last summer meant that, after starting the first three Premier League games of the campaign, Trafford's appearances were limited to the cup competitions until a start in the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on the final day of the campaign.
Before those four Premier League appearances for City, Trafford's only top-flight appearances had come during a relegation season for Burnley in 2023/24, when Trafford conceded 62 goals in 28 games from shots with an expected goal value much lower, at 55.02.
Those underlying numbers raised questions about his shot-stopping, but the experience proved invaluable for the young goalkeeper and he bounced back with a record-breaking campaign in the second tier, only conceding 16 times in 45 games as the Clarets won promotion back to the Premier League.
Matt Gilks, his goalkeeping coach during his time on loan at Bolton Wanderers as a teenager, highlights Trafford's athletic attributes and steely mentality.
"When you've been in the game for 25 years, like I have, you come across hundreds of goalkeepers and there are very few that really stand out, but James is definitely one of them. His athletic profile, the power he produces when he takes off, the way he responds to setback, all the little details are up there."
Leeds' key summer business
In
Tarik Muharemovic - Sassuolo, £34m
Harry Wilson - Fulham, free
Out
Pascal Struijk - Brighton, £18m
Isaac Schmidt - Young Boys, undisclosed
Karl Darlow - Manchester United, free
Illan Meslier - Arsenal, free
