Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford completes medical ahead Leeds move
Leeds have agreed a £40million transfer fee plus add-ons with Manchester City
James Trafford has edged closer to a club-record move to Leeds after completing a medical at Elland Road, the Press Association understands.
Leeds have agreed a £40million transfer fee plus add-ons with Manchester City and are hoping to finalise the deal, which would eclipse the £36m they paid Hoffenheim to sign Georginio Rutter in 2023.
Trafford, back-up to England number one Jordan Pickford at the World Cup, will become the world’s fourth most expensive goalkeeper signing.
Only three goalkeepers, Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea for £72m), Alisson Becker (Roma to Liverpool £67m) and Andre Onana (Inter to Manchester United £47.2m), have cost more.
He will also become Leeds’ third summer signing following the arrivals of Wales forward Harry Wilson from Fulham and Bosnia and Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
Leeds had made a new goalkeeper a top priority after the summer departures of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier to Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, while Brazilian Lucas Perri has been linked with a move to Torino.
Trafford was behind Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in City’s pecking order last season, making 17 appearances in all competitions and starting in every FA Cup and Carabao Cup match as they lifted both trophies.