How much Leeds United will pay to sign James Trafford revealed

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford looks set to sign for Leeds United.

After weeks of speculation, the Whites have finally made their move to win the race for the England international.

Spending the summer with England at the World Cup, Trafford failed to make a single appearance under Thomas Tuchel.

And despite his summer break only just starting, it looks like a huge move to Elland Road is coming first.

Daniel Farke has made his move to sign Trafford, with Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow moving on already.

And the mindblowing numbers behind it will only excite Leeds fans more.

Leeds United set to smash transfer record

MOT Leeds News shared earlier on Thursday that Trafford will become Leeds' highest-paid player.

That's if a move is completed, as expected.

Now, Alex Crook of talkSPORT has shared what the fee could reach and it's set to raise the roof in LS11.

Speaking live on air earlier on 23 July, as shared via TikTok, Crook revealed the ins and outs of the advancing transfer.

"James Trafford, potentially on his way from Manchester City to Leeds, it could be as high as £50million," he said.

"I think their record transfer, to this point, is around £35m, he'd be their top wage earner, as well."

The figures behind this deal are simply sensational, but it makes complete sense.

Paraag Marathe and the 49ers promised backing, and that's what is needed if you want to make that next jump.

Leeds survived relegation by adding toughness and physicality, and now they're adding the quality around it.

How Leeds United are funding their transfers

This is a completely different summer at Elland Road.

We've seen expected player exits turn into loans for years now, but that has changed this summer.

Isaac Schmidt has left for £2m, Pascal Struijk for £18m, Max Wober released and there's more to follow.

Not only are the fees helping, but the inflated wages, with Jack Harrison next out of the door on a huge contract.

Add to that the expected sales of Joe Gelhardt and Largie Ramazani, and Leeds are laughing.

Tarik Muharemovic, Harry Wilson, Trafford and maybe even Julian Brandt could be signed for around £85m.

That looks huge, but all of these sales takes the net spend closer to £60m, which is nothing in the Premier League.

Leeds are finally showing that ambition, and Trafford is the next step on what promises to be another hugely-exciting rollercoaster this season.