Leeds United are in negotiations with Manchester City over a potential transfer for goalkeeper James Trafford, with the 22-year-old England international set to leave the Etihad Stadium just one year after his return to the club.

The Championship side are seeking a new first-choice goalkeeper following the departures of Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier from Elland Road this summer. Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns remain at the club, but Perri lost his starting position to Darlow in the second half of last season and did not feature for Leeds in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United on 7 January.

Trafford's limited role at City

Trafford made 17 appearances for Manchester City last season — four of them in the Premier League — after rejoining the club from Burnley. He collected both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup winners' medals during the campaign.

His playing time was significantly curtailed, however, after Manchester City signed Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain in September, pushing Trafford further down the pecking order.

Trafford was also part of England's World Cup squad this summer, though he did not take to the pitch during the tournament.

A career shaped by loans and a £27m return

Trafford began his career at Manchester City, spending time on loan at Accrington and Bolton before making a permanent move to Burnley in 2023. He went on to make 73 appearances for the Clarets, impressing enough for City to trigger a buy-back clause last summer, bringing him back to the Etihad for £27 million plus add-ons.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa had also registered interest in Trafford this summer, though Villa's pursuit cooled after the club expect Emi Martinez to remain at the club.