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

Zinny Boswell, Ben Ransom & Amar Mehta

Monday 27 July 2026 20:24, UK

Leeds United are close to agreeing a club-record deal with Manchester City for goalkeeper James Trafford.

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.

Perri, who was dropped by boss Daniel Farke last season, and third-choice Alex Cairns are the only senior goalkeepers currently on Leeds' books.

There is the potential for Perri to depart this summer amid interest from Torino.

However, Leeds are unwilling to part with the Brazilian until they have brought in at least one goalkeeper.

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