James Trafford has been omitted from Manchester City’s pre-season tour squad. His absence comes with a £40 million move to Leeds United moving nearer, and the club’s squad announcement suggests a final decision is close.
According to reports, Leeds are close to sealing a club-record package worth £40 million plus add-ons for the 23-year-old, beating the £35.5 million they paid for Georginio Rutter in January 2023. Personal terms are not expected to present any problem, and the expectation is that he will complete the move this summer.
City travelled to Asia on Tuesday for fixtures in Hong Kong and Seoul over the coming week. Enzo Maresca selected a 28-man squad, with the goalkeeper not included.
Trafford is one of a small group of first-team players still observing a compulsory three-week break after the World Cup, having been part of England’s squad. Maresca has taken four goalkeepers on tour: first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma, experienced Marcus Bettinelli, and academy duo Max Chabot and Jack Wint.
Leeds are hoping to finalise the transfer, with Trafford reportedly favouring a move to Daniel Farke’s side. The England international is keen to challenge Jordan Pickford for the No. 1 shirt, but first needs regular minutes at club level.
That chance would come at Elland Road, where Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns are currently the only goalkeepers in the squad. Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier both allowed their Elland Road contracts to expire before joining Manchester United and Arsenal respectively this summer.
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