Manchester City have reportedly submitted their first official offer for the goalkeeper expected to replace Leeds United target James Trafford.
Leeds remain close to agreeing a £40million deal for Trafford, who is still on his FIFA-mandated three-week post-World Cup holiday. The 23-year-old was part of an England squad whose tournament finished on July 18.
Trafford is looking increasingly likely to become a Leeds player with City already eyeing up his replacement. The Etihad club were recently linked with Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli who would come in as back-up for Gianluigi Donnarumma.
James Trafford impressed at Manchester City despite limited minutes.placeholder image
James Trafford impressed at Manchester City despite limited minutes. | AFP via Getty Images
Fabrizio Romano now reports that City sent their ‘first official bid’ today [Tuesday August 4], with negotiations underway between themselves and Marseille. Like Trafford, Rulli is still on a three-week break having been part of the Argentina squad that made the World Cup final.
Barring an unexpected turn, Rulli will become City’s second-choice goalkeeper and Trafford will complete his £40m move to Leeds, usurping Georginio Rutter as the club’s most expensive ever signing. The England international will arrive at the undisputed No.1.
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Currently, Leeds have just two senior goalkeepers on their books with one of them potentially set to leave once Trafford arrives. Lucas Perri is believed to be on the verge of joining Serie A outfit Torino on loan with an option to buy just 12 months after joining the Whites.
Perri missed Leeds’ last two pre-season friendlies in the US after picking up a knock in training, with Alex Cairns starting and completing wins against Sunderland and Liverpool. Last season’s first-choice Karl Darlow ran down his contract before joining Manchester United while Illan Meslier left for Arsenal.
Should a deal for Trafford get over the line as expected, he will become Leeds’ third signing of the summer after free agent Harry Wilson and £34m centre-back Tarik Muharemovic. Both have impressed in pre-season already.
Leeds had held talks over a move for Julian Brandt but the free agent decided to join Ajax last week. The YEP understands alternative attacking options are being assessed, among them summer 2025 target and current Marseille star Igor Paixao.
Leeds are next in action at home to RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon. They face Manchester United in Dublin next Wednesday before rounding off pre-season against FC Augsburg at Elland Road on Saturday August 15.