James Trafford to Leeds United verdict as £40m club-record move nears | OneFootball

Leeds United are close to a club-record £40m plus add-ons deal to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.

Trafford joined City only last year and was initially earmarked as Pep Guardiola’s No.1, before Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived and he slipped to back-up. He still made 17 appearances, and if the move is completed he would come in as first-choice at Elland Road, with hopes regular minutes help his England No.1 push.

“I think this is a good signing. James Trafford is a very good goalkeeper. He’s had a really good career so far but he went to Man City and it got stifled,” he told Sky Sports.

“He went there as a No.1, but then he had a tough time and it’s not easy when you go to a team where there’s a lot of expectation. Obviously Donnarumma came in and then he's No.2.”

“He can’t be a No.2 at such a young age, he has to be playing so he can fulfil his potential. But I think it’s a really good move, I like the way [Daniel] Farke has his team playing. They upset a few teams last year, they played expensive football but were very pragmatic as well.”

“I think with Trafford there, I think he’ll be able to play out from the back as well but again, he’s very agile, a good shot-stopper. He had a difficult time at Man City but I think he’s a very good goalkeeper.”

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk