Leeds United transfer news: James Trafford deal moving nearer as club-record deal close to being reached with Manchester City
James Trafford is edging closer to a move to Leeds United from Manchester City; the move is set to be a club-record fee for Leeds, worth at least £40m plus add-ons; the 23-year-old played 17 times for Manchester City last term, keeping eight clean sheets
Monday 27 July 2026 20:24, UK
Leeds United are close to agreeing a club-record deal with Manchester City for goalkeeper James Trafford.
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.
Leeds' previous record-signing was Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim for around £35.5m in January 2023.
Finding a new first-choice goalkeeper is a priority for Leeds this summer after Karl Darlow's exit and an unconvincing debut season for Lucas Perri.
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Perri, who was dropped by boss 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.
Leeds' key summer business
In
Harry Wilson - Fulham, free
Tarik Muharemovic - Sassuolo, £34m
Out
Pascal Struijk - Brighton, £18m
Karl Darlow - Manchester United, free
Illan Meslier - Arsenal, free
Harry Gray - Sheffield Wednesday, loan
Isaac Schmidt - Young Boys, undisclosed
Jack Harrison - New England Revolution, undisclosed
