Leeds United smash transfer record with James Trafford signing from Man City

Leeds United are on the verge of a monumental splash in the transfer market. The club has reached a full verbal agreement with Manchester City for goalkeeper James Trafford, according to renowned football insider Fabrizio Romano. The deal will set a new club record: a base fee of £40 million (around €47 million) plus performance-related add-ons. Both sides have shaken hands, and the formalities are expected to be wrapped up in the coming days. Trafford is a City academy product who never truly broke into the first team. After several loans, he was sold to Burnley for €17 million. The 2024/25 campaign proved to be his breakthrough: 45 appearances, 29 clean sheets, just 16 goals conceded - and a pivotal role in Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League. That form convinced Manchester City to trigger a €30 million buyback clause, initially planning to make him their No. 1. However, the club then signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG, pushing Trafford to the bench. He got his chances in the cups and delivered: a 2-0 League Cup final win over Arsenal and a 1-0 FA Cup triumph against Chelsea. Trafford was also part of England's squad for this year's World Cup. Though he didn't play a single minute, he collected a bronze medal after England beat France 6-4 in the third-place match.