Medical complete & deal agreed as Leeds United set to confirm club-record summer transfer — YEP 6/8/26

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By Kyle Newbould

Leeds United are set to break their transfer record with the arrival of James Trafford.

Leeds United are edging closer to a club-record deal for James Trafford following the completion of the goalkeeper’s medical.

As first reported by The Athletic on Thursday morning, the YEP understands Trafford has undergone relevant medical tests this week and is set to become Leeds’ third signing of the summer. A deal worth £40million plus add-ons has been agreed with Manchester City.

The 23-year-old will become Leeds’ record transfer, eclipsing the £35.5m spent on Georginio Rutter in January 2023. He will also become the fourth-most expensive goalkeeper in history.

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Leeds made the signing of a clear No.1 goalkeeper one of their priorities this summer, with a new contract offer for Karl Darlow not including any first-team guarantees. He subsequently joined Manchester United while Illan Meslier left for Arsenal.

Lucas Perri had been first-choice until suffering a knock, with Alex Cairns in goal for pre-season friendlies against Sunderland and Liverpool. Perri is believed to be closing on a season-long loan move to Torino.

Trafford returned to City from Burnley in a £30m deal last summer with plans to be their new No.1. But an opportunity to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma was taken up by Etihad chiefs and the England international dropped to No.2.

He made 17 appearances across all competitions last season - only a handful fewer than both Darlow and Perri - featuring mostly in domestic cups. Then-manager Pep Guardiola trusted the young goalkeeper between the posts for his side’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, both of which were won.

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