Manchester City’s James Trafford has been conspicuously left out of the squad for their Asia pre-season tour, intensifying speculation that a blockbuster £40 million transfer to Leeds United is imminent.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper’s omission from the 28-man roster traveling to Hong Kong and Seoul signals a decisive step towards sealing a record-breaking deal for the Elland Road club.
Leeds United are reportedly on the verge of surpassing their previous transfer record of £35.5 million, set with Georginio Rutter’s January 2023 signing, as they move to secure Trafford’s services. Personal terms reportedly pose no obstacle, with the 23-year-old eager to make the switch this summer. Trafford, who was part of England’s World Cup squad and thus granted a mandated three-week rest period, was notably absent from the group selected by interim City coach Enzo Maresca. Instead, Maresca’s squad includes goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marcus Bettinelli, and academy prospects Max Chabot and Jack Wint.
Leeds are positioning Trafford as the clear successor to Jordan Pickford, with the goalkeeper himself reportedly preferring a move to Daniel Farke’s side. The promise of regular first-team football is a significant lure for Trafford, who aims to establish himself as England’s number one by gaining vital match experience. At Elland Road, the pathway to consistent playing time is clear, with only Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns remaining in Leeds’ goalkeeping ranks after Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier departed for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively this summer.
Should the transfer materialize, it is expected that Perri will be offloaded, with Torino emerging as a strong candidate for his signature. Leeds’ aggressive pursuit of Trafford underscores their ambition to solidify key positions ahead of the new season, while Manchester City appear ready to sanction the move, allowing their young goalkeeper to flourish with regular top-flight opportunities.
This potential transfer represents a landmark deal for Leeds United and a pivotal career move for Trafford, who stands on the brink of stepping into Premier League spotlight as a first-choice goalkeeper.