Leeds United’s transfer focus shifts as James Trafford nears record move | OneFootball

Leeds United are set to shift focus as James Trafford closes on a club-record move, with the goalkeeping brief effectively met. Priorities now include an attacker, striker cover and left-footed depth.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Trafford completed his medical this week and a £40m plus add-ons fee has been agreed with Manchester City. The 23-year-old would be Leeds’ costliest signing and the fourth most expensive goalkeeper, after Karl Darlow’s free move to Manchester United made the position urgent.

Next is a high-calibre attacker to complement free agent Harry Wilson. Leeds pursued Julian Brandt, but he chose Ajax, so alternatives are being assessed.

Marseille winger Igor Paixao is among them, with reports suggesting the Ligue 1 club need sales after missing the Champions League. Paixao, also on Aston Villa’s radar, and options such as Pavel Sulc would raise competition behind the striker, likely at significant cost.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin reminded Leeds of his value in the pre-season win over Liverpool with two goals, albeit against inexperienced opposition. Cover remains a concern if he is absent, with Lukas Nmecha a lively scorer but limited in hold-up play so far this summer.

A near-£40m January bid for Jorgen Strand Larsen underlined Farke’s wish to reinforce up front. Any addition would be pricey, and Trafford’s arrival would lift this summer’s outlay to £74m.

Gabriel Gudmundsson’s hamstring scare against Liverpool exposed thin left-footed defensive options. Leeds have one left-footed centre-back in Tarik Muharemovic and one left-footed full-back, with James Justin’s cover showing limitations.

Cover for Gudmundsson should be cheaper than attacking targets, yet it is a hard sell for a likely back-up. The brief is a left-sided defender who can attack and defend, and accept spells on the bench.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”