Leeds United aren’t expected to be alone in eyeing Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Newcastle United are yet to reignite interest in Leeds United transfer target James Trafford, according to reports.
Trafford could leave Manchester City this summer just one year after his £27million move to the Etihad. The goalkeeper signed a five-year deal believing he would be first-choice but was quickly usurped by fellow summer arrival Gianluigi Donnarumma, starting just four times in the Premier League.
Leeds United are interested in James Trafford.placeholder image
Leeds United are interested in James Trafford. | Getty Images
Competition is expected to be fierce for the 23-year-old, who is now on holiday following England’s 2026 World Cup campaign in which he was part of the squad. Aston Villa are among those to be linked while there has long been an assumption Newcastle would rekindle interest from last summer.
But according to The Chronicle, Trafford’s name was not brought up during Newcastle meetings this week with no sign they will return for the goalkeeper as yet. The Magpies had agreed personal terms with the former Burnley shot-stopper last summer, only to be outdone by City who had buyback rights on their former academy prospect.
According to the report, Newcastle are ready to start pre-season with Nick Pope as first-choice and 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen - who joined in a £24m deal earlier this summer - as competition. St James’ Park chiefs opted against signing on-loan Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale permanently.
Man City James Trafford price-tag emerges
Should Newcastle’s current stance on Trafford stay the same, it would remove one potential competitor from the race but Leeds will still be one of several suitors. There might also be a financial issue to address, with the Chronicle report suggesting Manchester City want £50m for their back-up goalkeeper - almost double what they paid for him a year ago.
What City want and what prospective suitors are willing to offer can be two different things, but Trafford is only 12 months into a five-year deal and so Etihad chiefs hold all the negotiating power. The England international is also likely to have very high wages.
Leeds are in need of at least one goalkeeper this summer following Darlow’s exit, while reports from Italy suggest there is interest in Lucas Perri. Like Trafford, the Brazilian signed last summer but struggled in the Premier League and was eventually dropped. Illan Meslier also moved on after his contract expired.
The Whites have been linked with Royal Union Saint-Gilloise star Kjell Scherpen and Parma shot-stopper Zion Suzuki already this summer. The YEP understands Elland Road chiefs are well aware of both but there is no active pursuit as things stand.