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Kyle Newbould
Published29th Jul 2026, 10:04 BST
Leeds United are close to agreeing a club-record transfer for the young goalkeeper.
James Trafford has been left out of Manchester City’s pre-season Asia tour squad as his transfer to Leeds United edges closer.
The Whites are closing in on a deal worth £40million plus add-ons for the 23-year-old goalkeeper. That price-tag eclipses the previous record of £35.5m for Georginio Rutter in January 2023.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem and while a deal is yet to be announced, the expectation is Trafford will become a Leeds player this summer. And City have now hinted that a decision is close.
James Trafford was Manchester City's cup goalkeeper last season.placeholder image
James Trafford was Manchester City's cup goalkeeper last season. | Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images
The Premier League giants embarked on a pre-season tour of Asia on Tuesday with matches to be played in Hong Kong and Seoul over the next week. New head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed his 28-man squad ahead of the long flight, with Trafford a notable absence.
Maresca has taken four goalkeepers on the trip with first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma joined by experienced squad option Marcus Bettinelli and academy pair Max Chabot and Jack Wint. Trafford’s absence suggests he will not have a role at City next season.
Leeds will hope they can get a deal over the line for Trafford, whose preference is reportedly to join Daniel Farke’s side. The England international harbours hope of replacing Jordan Pickford as No.1 but must play regularly at club-level first.
He will get that first-team exposure at Leeds, who at present have just Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns making up their goalkeeper department. Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier both ran down their Elland Road contracts to join Manchester United and Arsenal respectively this summer.
Once Trafford’s move is confirmed, Perri is expected to depart Leeds with Torino heavily linked. Reports from Italy have suggested an exit will be sanctioned once a first-choice arrives in the form of the £40m target.