Leeds United are on the verge of completing the club-record signing of James Trafford after the England goalkeeper successfully underwent his medical ahead of a permanent move from Manchester City.
The 23-year-old is expected to join Daniel Farke’s side in a deal worth £40 million plus add-ons, making him Leeds’ most expensive signing and setting a new club benchmark in the transfer market. The fee also ranks among the highest ever paid for an English goalkeeper.
Trafford completed the final stages of his medical this week after Leeds and Manchester City reached an agreement over the structure of the transfer. An official announcement is now expected once the remaining paperwork has been completed.
The move ends Trafford’s association with Manchester City, where he progressed through the academy but never made a senior competitive appearance for the first team.
Instead, the goalkeeper built his reputation during loan spells away from the Etihad before establishing himself as one of England’s brightest young goalkeepers, earning international recognition and attracting interest from several Premier League clubs.
Leeds have made signing a new first-choice goalkeeper one of their top priorities ahead of the new season, and Trafford is expected to arrive as the club’s undisputed No. 1.
His arrival underlines Leeds’ ambition as they prepare for the Premier League campaign, with the Yorkshire club willing to invest heavily in a player viewed as one of the country’s best long-term prospects between the posts.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are already working on plans to replace Trafford.
Reports indicate the Premier League champions have opened talks with Marseille over Argentina international Geronimo Rulli, who has emerged as the leading candidate to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s goalkeeping department.
Once the transfer is officially confirmed, Trafford will become Leeds United’s record signing and one of the headline goalkeeper moves of the summer transfer window.
