Man City eye James Trafford loan exit as Leeds prepare summer move
Manchester City sources are reportedly of the belief that the Cityzens would prefer to loan James Trafford out in the summer.
According to a report from TEAMTALK, City would rather secure a temporary exit for Trafford as opposed to commissioning a permanent transfer for the goalkeeper.
It’s reported that the 23-year-old could push for more regular football for next season, and that Leeds are one of three Premier League sides interested in securing his signature.
Aston Villa and Newcastle are also touted as being keen on Trafford, with the report stating that Daniel Farke is looking to add competition for Lucas Perri, and not necessarily replace him.
- Read more: James Trafford to Leeds United makes perfect sense after what Elland Road insider revealed
James Trafford doesn’t appear happy at Man City
Having first signed for Man City in the summer of 2015 aged just 12, Trafford took his first steps into senior football as a Cityzens player.
Having eventually graduated from their academy system, the goalkeeper spent the first few years of his senior career going out on numerous EFL loans.
Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers both got an early taste of the ability and potential Trafford has, before Burnley signed him for a reported £15million in the summer of 2023.
And, after a record-breaking 2024-25 season that saw him keep 29 clean sheets from 45 Championship matches, City brought him back to the Etihad last July for a fee in the region of £30m.
As such, Trafford was expected to claim the starting role under Pep Guardiola after the departure of Ederson, and for the start of the season he did, but then City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Having now reverted to a backup role in Manchester, Trafford doesn’t appear to be overly keen on playing that part for much longer.
“It wasn’t what I expected coming into the season, and I tried to guard against the situation, but it’s the reality,” Trafford said on his situation at the Etihad in a recent BBC Sport interview.
“It’s the reality and I have to give it my best shot. It’s the situation I’m in. We train every day but making saves, it’s good fun.”
Trafford would be excellent capture for Leeds
Quality goalkeepers are hard to find, young ones even more so, but that’s exactly what Trafford is.
At 23, he’s already been called up to the England squad without yet earning his first senior cap, and proved that he’s a level above the Championship with Burnley last season.
Given what he’s said about his situation with City, whoever signs him looks certain to be getting a player who will be fired up to play regular football, and desperate to prove a point to Etihad Stadium chiefs.
Therefore, especially on a loan deal without any transfer fee commitments, bringing Trafford to Elland Road for the 2026-27 season would be an excellent move for Leeds to make.
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