Leeds in talks to sign Man City keeper Trafford

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Leeds United are in discussions with Manchester City over a move for goalkeeper James Trafford, with the England international potentially leaving the Etihad Stadium one year after rejoining the club. The talks come as Leeds reshape their goalkeeping options following the summer departures of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier from Elland Road.

According to the BBC, Newcastle United and Aston Villa had also shown interest in Trafford during the summer, though Villa are now said to expect Emi Martinez to remain. Leeds still have Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns in their squad, but Perri lost his starting place to Darlow in the second half of last season and did not feature in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat against Newcastle on 7 January.

Trafford, who was included in England’s World Cup squad this summer but did not play, made 17 appearances for Manchester City last season, including four in the Premier League. He was part of the City squad that won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. His pathway has included earlier loans at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers before a 2023 move to Burnley.

The BBC says Trafford played 73 times for Burnley before City triggered a buy-back clause last summer worth £27m plus add-ons. His opportunities were then limited after City brought in Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain in September, making a transfer a possible route to more regular first-team football.