Leeds United want to make ambitious Manchester City signing with first-team football guarantee

Leeds United hope to lure England international James Trafford to Elland Road this summer with the promise of first-team football.

Leeds are one of several Premier League clubs contemplating a move for the Manchester City back-up, FourFourTwo understands.

Newcastle United are another side in the mix for Trafford’s signature and retain an interest in the stopper who chose the Etihad Stadium over St. James’ Park last summer. Trafford was close to signing for the Magpies before an eleventh hour proposal by Manchester City swung the move in their favour.

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Leeds United consider summer James Trafford move

The Whites are also into the semi-final of the FA Cup for the first time in almost four decades after victory over relegation rivals West Ham United last weekend. Leeds ran out 3-2 winners on penalties at the London Stadium after Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri made two saves in the shootout, denying Jarrod Bowen and Pablo from 12 yards.

Perri’s form has fluctuated throughout 2025/26, beginning the season as first-choice following his move from Olympique Lyonnais, but has recently been replaced by Wales international Karl Darlow for Premier League fixtures.

Darlow’s contract is set to expire this summer and the expectation is the 35-year-old will move on following a three-year spell in West Yorkshire.

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Former first-choice stopper Illan Meslier is also expected to leave the club this summer having lost his place to Darlow at the back end of last season. Reserve goalkeeper Alex Cairns’ deal is another set to expire at the end of June.

Trafford joined Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City last summer and was given the No. 1 shirt prior to the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma later in the window. The Italian, however, has usurped Trafford between the sticks limiting the England stopper to 14 appearances across all competitions, six of which were in the League Cup.

There is no shortage of interest in Trafford’s signature with the goalkeeper open to a move and likely to have his pick of Premier League teams to choose from. At Leeds, though, there is a cleaning of the house in the goalkeeping department and Trafford would be expected to move to the top of the pecking order.

Leeds are one of the Premier League sides set to enter the race for Trafford’s signature this summer (Image credit: James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images)

Trafford conceded 16 goals in 45 appearances for Burnley during their promotion-winning 2024/25 Championship campaign and is well-known to the Leeds hierarchy.

The Whites are not likely to be Trafford’s first choice but a first-team football guarantee may work to their advantage as the goalkeeper seeks to avoid a similar situation as the one he currently finds himself in at Manchester City. Any Leeds move for Trafford is contingent on the club remaining in the top flight.

Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with a Trafford transfer with Guglielmo Vicario expected to part ways at the end of the season. Meanwhile, Emiliano Martinez’s long-term future at Villa Park could make for an interesting dynamic this summer, in relation to Trafford’s availability.