RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sourcesAn England international will get the opportunity away from Manchester City that he craved
It had always seemed to be a matter of time before James Trafford got the move away from Manchester City that he craved. Trafford spent last season as Gianluigi Donnarumma’s understudy, or more to the point, as Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper. It isn’t a stretch to say that James Trafford is far too good and far too ambitious for this particular role. A summer transfer has always been on the cards since the 2025-26 season ended. David Ornstein has reported for The Athletic that Leeds United have agreed to sign James Trafford from Manchester City. Trafford will now get the opportunity he craved, allowing him to be the number-one goalkeeper away from City.
Leeds United have agreed to sign James Trafford from Manchester City.
David Ornstein has reported for The Athletic that Leeds United have agreed to pay Manchester City £40 million plus bonuses to sign James Trafford. Furthermore, Ornstein reports that Leeds have been in the market for a new number-one goalkeeper. Leeds United’s first-choice keeper from last season, Karl Darlow, completed a move to Manchester United earlier this summer, leaving a vacancy in goal for Daniel Farke’s side. Leeds United have chosen to sign James Trafford to fill this void, and it now looks to be only a matter of time before Trafford moves to Leeds.
James Trafford will now have the opportunity he craved to become the keeper he has always promised to be.
It is almost impossible to begrudge James Trafford a move away from Manchester City. The impressive young goalkeeper has the aim of becoming England’s number-one goalkeeper and also aims to become one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. Trafford will not be able to achieve these goals by sitting on the bench as Gianluigi Donnarumma’s understudy. Now, Trafford will get the opportunity he craves.
James Trafford will start in goal for Leeds United. The number-one goalkeeper spot in Daniel Farke’s side is his to lose. He will immediately slot into that role and it is now up to Trafford to fulfil his obvious potential and become the goalkeeper he promises to be. It is a shame that Trafford won’t become City’s first-choice goalkeeper, but with Gianluigi Donnarumma in his way, Trafford needed a move to fulfil his career goal. He will get that and Manchester City will get a handsome transfer fee for selling the England international.
Once the formalities are complete, James Trafford will complete a permanent move from Manchester City to Leeds United. Trafford will get the opportunity to be the first-choice goalkeeper at a big club in the Premier League which is what he has wanted since the 2025-26 season was complete.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.