The latest Leeds United transfer headlines following the weekend's FA Cup win over Birmingham City.
The Whites have lost just two of their last 13 top-flight matches in a run that has seen them take 19 points, compared to just 11 points from their opening 13 matches of the campaign.
But what other rumours are doing the rounds right now? Here are some more of the latest headlines.
Leeds considering James Trafford loan
Goalkeeper has been something of a problem position for Leeds, with Lucas Perri missing a handful of games with an arm injury earlier this season, while neither he nor Karl Darlow have been utterly convincing when called upon. What’s more, Illan Meslier is now utterly out of favour under Daniel Farke.
With that in mind, don’t be shocked to see numerous goalkeepers linked with a move to Elland Road between now and the summer. One such name doing the rounds right now is James Trafford.
The Englishman enjoyed a stellar Championship campaign in 2024/25, keeping 29 clean sheets and conceding just 16 goals in 45 appearances to help Burnley earn promotion in second place, just behind Leeds.
That earned him a big-money return to Manchester City, but despite starting three matches at the beginning of the season, Trafford hasn’t played in the Premier League since, with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival restricting him to FA Cup and EFL Cup appearances, as well as one Champions League outing.
According to TEAMtalk, Man City are now considering loaning Trafford out next season to make sure he continues his impressive development, and their report states that Leeds are one of the clubs keeping tabs on the 23-year-old as they weigh up their goalkeeping options.
Lucas Perri praised after timely FA Cup performance
The Trafford links come right off the back of some timely praise for Lucas Perri, who returned to the starting line-up against Birmingham at the weekend having been stuck on the bench since 7th January - when he conceded four goals in a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United.
Perri made four saves across normal-time and extra-time as Leeds were held to penalties, before saving Tommy Doyle’s effort during the shootout to help Leeds to a 4-2 win, booking their place in the fifth round.
It was one of Perri’s best performances of the season so far and a reminder of why Leeds paid more than £15m for his services during the summer. The Brazilian drew praise from former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson, as well as teammate Sean Longstaff.
Leeds midfielder Longstaff said after the match at St. Andrew’s: “I thought Lucas was excellent today. He was massive, not just in the shootout, but the whole game.”
Joel Piroe to consider summer exit?
Joel Piroe was a vital cog in the Leeds promotion machine last season, finishing as the Championship’s top scorer with 19 goals - at least seven clear of any other Leeds player.
However, the summer arrivals of Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have completely decimated Piroe’s chances this season, with the now-Suriname international clocking up just 208 minutes in the Premier League and 14 appearances across all competitions - failing to register a single goal or assist.
One of the shocks of the January transfer window from a Leeds perspective was Piroe remaining at Elland Road. However, former Whites defender Tony Dorigo sympathises with the striker’s desire to fight for his place under Daniel Farke.
“I think as a player, you always back yourself. Wherever you go, you back yourself. Actually, I think of Kalvin Phillips as being the best example of that,” Dorigo told the Yorkshire Post.
“He was the best midfielder in England. Of course, he's got to think he can go to Manchester City and make the step up. And he's right to do that. Unfortunately, sometimes it does not work out.
“With Piroe, I think if you look last season, he was clearly our best finisher. You put him in the right areas, he is an amazing finisher, he’s got calmness, but I think the way that we play, it doesn't really ideally suit his characteristics.
“At times, we're starting to go a little bit longer and of course, Calvert-Lewin in the air, that physicality is so important.
“Piroe isn't that type of player, so you can see why, unfortunately, he will not start many games because of the way that we play.
“If you think two, three, four seasons in advance, we play a different style, we have a lot of possession, then he could come more into the reckoning. But at the moment, it's difficult. And that's why Nmecha will play and that's why Calvert-Lewin will play. It must be frustrating for him.”
That said, Dorigo wouldn’t be surprised if Piroe ‘reviews’ his situation in the summer, if his playing time doesn’t drastically improve soon.
“I admire him. He really wants to prove himself and he just needs that opportunity, but we haven't got a load of time. We've got to get points now, which is why, unfortunately, he's getting few minutes,” he added.
“It's up to him. Maybe he thought ‘mid-season's not the time’. He'll review it again in the summer. I feel for him but I know there's a quality player there.”
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