Manchester City omit James Trafford from Asia tour as £40m Leeds move nears | OneFootball

Manchester City have omitted James Trafford from their Asia tour squad as a transfer to Leeds United edges closer.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds are working on a club record package worth £40 million plus add-ons for the 23-year-old, which would surpass the £35.5m paid for Georginio Rutter in January 2023.

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue and the expectation is that he will become a Leeds player this summer.

City have pre-season games in Hong Kong and Seoul over the next week. New head coach Enzo Maresca has selected four goalkeepers for the trip, first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marcus Bettinelli and academy pair Max Chabot and Jack Wint. Trafford is among a handful still on a mandated three-week break after the World Cup, having been in England's squad.

He will get regular first-team exposure at Leeds, who currently have only Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns in their goalkeeper department. Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier ran down their Elland Road contracts to join Manchester United and Arsenal respectively this summer. Trafford's preference is reportedly to join Daniel Farke’s side, and he harbours hopes of replacing Jordan Pickford as No.1, but must first play regularly at club level.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk