James Trafford closes in on record transfer to new Premier League club after Newcastle interest

Leeds United are close to agreeing a deal to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, talkSPORT understands.

Trafford has been keen to leave City this summer in search of a No.1 role at another Premier League club.

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The 23-year-old had indicated that he wants to join Leeds and he is set to become their highest-paid player.

Negotiations have been moving quickly and so much so that a deal for Trafford is now close to being agreed.

talkSPORT understands that Leeds will pay a club-record £40million plus bonuses for the wantaway England international.

Trafford joined the Etihad side last summer in a £27m deal from Burnley – just two years after City sold him for £14m.

He started in the opening three Premier League games of the season, before he was left blindsided by City’s deadline-day swoop to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma. 

Trafford ended up playing just four times under Pep Guardiola in the league, but a further 13 games in cup competitions.

Man City won both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season.

Trafford heading for Leeds

Leeds have seen Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow depart this summer, to back-up roles at Arsenal and Man United respectively.

Lucas Perri joined the club last summer and made 15 Premier League appearances last season, but Daniel Farke will sign a new No.1.

And it seems Trafford is going to be his man, with the deal expected to be finalised this week between Leeds and Man City.

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Newcastle have held a long-term interest in the goalkeeper too, but have recently signed 20-year-old Ewen Jaouen.

Nick Pope remains on the books too, while Aaron Ramsdale returned to Southampton after his loan spell.

The Magpies have not held any recent talks or placed a bid.

The last conversations occurred when Trafford was discussed as an option when Man City explored signing Sandro Tonali.

Trafford blindsided

Leeds-bound Trafford initially joined City last summer with the full expectation of being their No.1 for the season.

But commenting on Donnarumma’s transfer, he has revealed he wasn’t told the club would be signing the Euro 2020 winner.

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He said: “I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it happened, so just get on with it. It’s happened so I work very hard every day and see what happens, give it my best shot.”

Trafford added: “No, it wasn’t that, but it [the plan] wasn’t what happened. It is what it is. It’s football, it is what it is, you’ve got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can.

“It’s just another experience to add to my career and yeah, it has been good learning.

“Let’s take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens.

“I’ve obviously got a contract, so don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.”

Man City start their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth, while Leeds travel to Nottingham Forest on the opening day.