James Trafford transfer stance from Man City boss Enzo Maresca underlines Leeds United reality | OneFootball

James Trafford is set to leave Manchester City, and Enzo Maresca’s first press conference offered no denial. According to Leeds Live, the goalkeeper is in talks with Leeds United, reflecting the manager’s choice for next season’s number one.

Maresca said he knows Trafford well from their time together in City’s under-23s. He added that anything could happen while the window is open and that, for now, Trafford remains one of the club’s goalkeepers.

Trafford made 13 appearances for Maresca in the 2020/21 under-23s, aged just 17. If anyone was going to select him ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, it was likely Maresca, but that has not happened.

For Leeds, the lack of a denial simply confirms the pecking order. Trafford arrived under Pep Guardiola with hopes of becoming number one, hopes that have not been realised under Guardiola and now Maresca.

Leeds are seeking to show him real care in talks, from videos of the fanbase, including the 2025 Championship title bus parade, to conversations about life beyond football. Daniel Farke stresses understanding the person before the player, something several signings have valued.

United will try to pull out all the stops, with Trafford believing he is good enough to be the main man at a Premier League club. Maresca’s comments could alert rivals, so Leeds may prefer to quicken discussions, yet they appear to lead the race and Trafford is said to favour Elland Road.

Source: Leeds Live