28-Year-Old Leeds United Player Wants To Leave: What Should Be The Best For Farke? | OneFootball

Lucas Perri wants out. The Brazilian stopper has made his stance clear behind the scenes, putting Torino right at the top of his wishlist.

Italian reporter Nicolo Schira broke the news, confirming the keeper’s preference to pack his bags for Serie A. Tuttosport backed up those claims shortly after. They reckon Perri sits right at the summit of Torino’s target list for the transfer window. Crucially for fans in West Yorkshire, Leeds have already started looking at alternatives to fill the void. Manchester City’s James Trafford has emerged as the main man to take the gloves at Elland Road if a deal comes together.

Leeds United face goalkeeping reshuffle as Perri eyes Torino move

It is not just Italy calling, mind you. Two clubs back in Brazil and a Turkish Super Lig outfit have also sniffed around the goalkeeper. Still, Torino stay firmly in pole position to get the deal over the line. 16 starts. 29 goals shipped. Just three clean sheets and 38 saves along the way.

Perri’s first taste of English top-flight football was far from a runaway success. Leeds finished 14th, leaking 56 goals across the campaign. You cannot pin all that defensive misery on the man between the sticks, but the raw numbers do not paint a pretty picture either. A save percentage of 60.3% alongside conceding 1.81 goals per 90 minutes highlights how open Leeds were at the back.

He had moments. His distribution looked tidy enough at times, and his shot-stopping was steady in small bursts. Yet, he never really stamped his authority on the shirt or felt like an indispensable top-flight number one.

Why James Trafford makes sense for Leeds

Letting Perri move on might actually turn out to be clever business. That is assuming Leeds can actually pull off a deal for Trafford. Trafford is a completely different profile. At 23, the Manchester City product brings raw potential, good height, and calm footwork. He has already shown he can handle the graft, though getting City to part ways with him will take some work. City do not tend to let homegrown talent walk out the door for loose change.

If Leeds manage to bring him in for somewhere between £10 million and £15 million, that feels like a solid bit of recruitment. He gives them a younger option with a much higher ceiling.

The risk of poor timing at Elland Road

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Lucas Perri of Leeds United saves a penalty from Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United in the penalty shoot out during the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between West Ham United and Leeds United on April 05, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The real danger here comes down to timing. Swapping your first-choice goalkeeper in the middle of summer, while pre-season preparations are already rolling, is an extra headache nobody needs. Leeds United need a settled backline before the new campaign kicks off. Bringing in a new shot-stopper always carries an element of disruption, no matter how good the recruitment team’s plan looks on paper.

Then there is the player’s mindset. Keeping someone who has already turned his head toward the exit door rarely works out. Perri has made his intentions obvious by entertaining calls from Italy, Turkey, and South America. Forcing an unmotivated keeper to stick around at Elland Road usually ends badly.

The board have to play this carefully. Only sanction Perri’s departure once Trafford is standing in the building holding up the shirt. Rushing a keeper out the door without a signed replacement is an avoidable fumble, and Leeds cannot afford silly errors in their second season back up.