James Trafford to Leeds United transfer verdict as club-record £40m deal edges closer — YEP 29/7/02

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By Kyle Newbould

Leeds United are closing in on a club-record transfer for the Manchester City goalkeeper.

Leeds United could be the place where goalkeeper James Trafford fulfils his potential, according to former striker Jay Bothroyd.

Trafford is closing in on a £40million plus add-ons move to Elland Road just one year after joining current club Manchester City. Having initially been signed to be Pep Guardiola’s No.1 at the Etihad, he was almost immediately usurped when Gianluigi Donnarumma - one of the world’s best goalkeepers - became available.

Despite playing second fiddle to the Italian international, Trafford featured 17 times last season and impressed enough for Leeds to commit to spending a club-record fee. Should a deal go through as expected, he will come in as first-choice with hope regular football can propel him into England No.1 contention.

“I think this is a good signing,” former Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers striker Bothroyd told Sky Sports. “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 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.”

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