Man City line up James Trafford replacement as Leeds pay record fee to solve goalkeeper woes | OneFootball

Leeds United have signed James Trafford from Manchester City for a club-record fee of up to £45m and City are already lining up a replacement.

The England goalkeeper has inked a five-year deal at Elland Road and has become Daniel Farke’s third signing of the summer.

City, who have inserted a 20 per cent sell-on clause, also have a matching rights option to sign Trafford for a third time if and when he leaves Leeds.

Enzo Maresca’s side are interested in signing the Argentina international Geronimo Rulli from Marseille as Trafford’s replacement and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s deputy.

Trafford rejoined City last summer from Burnley when, after he had a record-breaking year in the Clarets’ promotion-winning season, they matched Newcastle’s £31m bid for him.

However, the goalkeeper was surprised when City subsequently bought the Champions League winner Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.

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James Trafford (left) was part of the England squad at this summer’s World Cup (Getty)

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The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma (right) at Man City relegated Trafford (left) from No 1 duty (Getty)

After playing in City’s first three league games of the season, the 23-year-old only appeared in one more. However, he did start their Carabao Cup and FA Cup final wins over Arsenal and Chelsea respectively as he made 17 appearances in the season and then went to the World Cup.

Leeds were looking for a goalkeeper after both Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow left in the summer (going to Arsenal and Man United respectively in back-up roles) while Lucas Perri, who was bought last year, lost his place.