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
Tuesday 28 July 2026 09:56, 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.
Torino are expected to confirm the signing of Perri once Trafford's proposed move from Manchester City is completed, according to Sky in Italy.
Torino and Leeds have agreed an initial loan move for Perri for the coming season. The deal also includes an option to buy him permanently next summer.
Sky Sports News reported Leeds were unwilling to let Perri go until they had signed another goalkeeper this summer.
Goalkeepers Darlow and Illan Meslier have left Daniel Farke's squad to join Manchester United and Arsenal this summer.
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
