Leeds United are in talks with Manchester City to sign James Trafford and the goalkeeper is leaning towards a switch to Elland Road.
The Athletic reported last month that Newcastle United had rekindled their interest in Trafford, having tried to sign the England international last summer before his move to City.
Leeds are seeking a goalkeeper after seeing Karl Darlow, who ended the season as No 1, depart on a free transfer to Manchester United.
Trafford, 23, rejoined City from Burnley having come through the academy at the Etihad Stadium, and returned under the impression he would be first choice — but the addition of Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day saw Trafford act as the Italian’s understudy during the 2025-26 campaign. Trafford said in February that being No 2 “wasn’t what I expected” and that he “tried to guard against the situation happening”.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that Trafford was still Newcastle’s primary option, but that the St. James’ Park club have been looking at alternatives — including Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Carl Rushworth of Brighton & Hove Albion. Newcastle have signed 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen from Reims, and first-choice Nick Pope could leave if another senior option is brought in.
Leeds still have second-choice Lucas Perri, signed from Lyon on a four-year deal last summer, and third-choice Alex Cairns on their books.
Trafford made 17 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, including playing every match in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup as City lifted both trophies.
He was the undisputed No 1 for Burnley in the previous two seasons, and was an integral member of the defence which conceded just 16 goals in 46 Championship matches as Scott Parker’s side won promotion to the Premier League in 2024-25.
Trafford made his England debut in March, his first of two senior international caps, and was a part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad at the World Cup this summer.
Trafford move would be ‘a coup’
Analysis by Leeds correspondent Beren Cross
This would be a significant coup for Leeds if they can pull it off. Trafford is one of the rising stars of European goalkeeping and would stand a good chance of starting in goal for half of the teams in the Premier League.
It is no secret Trafford wants to play far more regularly than he did with City last season and he would be the undisputed No 1 at Elland Road. The West Yorkshire outfit will also lean on the platform they gave Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach in returning to their national teams.
United have first-hand experience of how impressive the 23-year-old can be between the sticks. Leeds went toe-to-toe with Trafford’s Burnley team for the Championship crown in 2024-25, when the goalkeeper conceded just 16 goals in 45 league starts.
Leeds will hope Trafford can be their long-term solution between the sticks. Illan Meslier has finally moved on after a prolonged demise of his Elland Road career. Lucas Perri endured a difficult first season in England. Meanwhile, Karl Darlow has left, but even if he had stayed, it is unlikely he would have been No 1 in the upcoming campaign.
Harry Wilson, an experienced top-flight operator off the back of a career-best season, has already been recruited on a free. One of the club’s biggest fees in history has been spent on Tarik Murahemovic, but Trafford could end up being their single most important piece of business of the summer.
