James Trafford omitted from Manchester City tour as £40m Leeds deal nears | OneFootball

James Trafford has been left out of Manchester City’s pre-season tour squad. The omission comes as a £40m switch to Leeds United edges closer and the club’s squad announcement points to a decision being close.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds are close to agreeing a club-record package worth £40m plus add-ons for the 23-year-old, surpassing 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 join this summer.

City flew to Asia on Tuesday for matches in Hong Kong and Seoul over the next week. Enzo Maresca named a 28-man group without the goalkeeper.

Trafford is among a handful of first-team players still on a mandated three-week break after the World Cup, having been part of England’s squad. Maresca has taken four goalkeepers, first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma, experienced Marcus Bettinelli and academy pair Max Chabot and Jack Wint.

Leeds hope to get the deal over the line, with Trafford’s preference reportedly to join Daniel Farke’s side. The England international wants to push Jordan Pickford for the No. 1 shirt, but needs regular club minutes first.

That opportunity would arrive at Elland Road, where only Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns currently make up the goalkeeper department. Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier ran down their Elland Road contracts to join Manchester United and Arsenal respectively this summer.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk