How James Trafford is set to become most expensive keeper ever as Leeds deal imminent

James Trafford is on the verge of making some history with his move from Manchester City to Leeds United.

Leeds emerged as the frontrunners to sign the England international last week, with Newcastle United pulling out as a result, and have been working on a deal with City since then.

MOT Leeds News has reported extensively on Trafford's imminent big-money move to Leeds, which is set to be worth £40million upfront.

That would make him the most expensive British goalkeeper in history, surpassing the £30m Everton paid Sunderland for fellow Englishman Jordan Pickford in 2017.

Aaron Ramsdale, another English player, is next on that list following his £30m move from Southampton to Arsenal in 2021.

Once Trafford's move goes through - no hiccups are expected - that is not the only record he will hold claim to.

James Trafford overtakes Kepa Arrizabalaga as most expensive keeper

Trafford has only been at City for a year - almost to the day - having arrived from Burnley in a £31m deal last summer.

Burnley themselves signed Trafford from City two years earlier, so already he has accumulated quite the valuation.

Indeed, at the age of just 23, Trafford has already cost an accumulated £81.7m.

That puts him ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has moved for a combined £77.5m between Athletic Bilbao, Chelsea and then Arsenal.

Alisson (£69m) and Ramsdale (£64.7m) round off the top five, while Gianluigi Buffon remains the sixth-most expensive of all time at £45.3m, even all these years on.

The clause Man City have pushed for in Trafford agreement

Everything points towards confirmation of this deal being imminent.

What will be interesting to see, however, is whether City have got their way with a buy-back clause they want inserted in the deal.

That has already benefited the Citizens once, having re-signed him from Burnley.

Leeds would rather not agree to it, given he could be off after one good season, but it may well be the price worth paying.

All that supporters really want right now is that confirmation announcement to drop.