Manchester City omit James Trafford as £40m Leeds United move nears | OneFootball

James Trafford has been left out of Manchester City’s pre-season tour to Asia, with a move to Leeds United edging closer.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Leeds are closing in on a deal worth £40 million plus add-ons for the 23-year-old, a fee that would surpass the £35.5 million paid for Georginio Rutter in January 2023.

City flew out on Tuesday for matches in Hong Kong and Seoul across the next week. New head coach Enzo Maresca named a 28-man group for the trip, with Trafford a notable omission after serving as the club’s cup goalkeeper last season.

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

Personal terms are not expected to be an issue and the expectation is that Trafford will become a Leeds player this summer. His preference is reportedly to join Daniel Farke’s side, as he seeks regular club football to boost long-term England ambitions behind Jordan Pickford.

Leeds currently have Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns in their senior goalkeeping group. Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier both ran down their Elland Road contracts to join Manchester United and Arsenal respectively earlier this summer.

Once Trafford’s move is confirmed, Perri is expected to depart, with Torino heavily linked.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk