James Trafford’s second spell at Manchester City looks certain to be brief. After just four Premier League appearances, the former Burnley goalkeeper is heading for the Etihad Stadium exit.
Man City brought Trafford back to the club from the Clarets last summer but immediately jumped at the opportunity to sign Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Azzurri skipper played the other 34 league matches last season and 23-year-old Trafford’s belief that he was returning to Manchester as Pep Guardiola’s number one quickly crumbled.
Newcastle ‘no longer considering’ Trafford as other options are explored
According to The Athletic, Newcastle United previously saw Trafford as their first choice to succeed Nick Pope but are ‘no longer considering a move’ for the England goalkeeper, preferring instead to review alternatives reportedly including Brighton & Hove Albion’s former Coventry City loanee Carl Rushworth and Parma stopper Zion Suzuki having also moved to sign French U21 goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims in early June.
Premier League rivals Leeds United are closing in on Trafford instead. They’re in the market for a goalkeeper after Karl Darlow’s move to Manchester United, though that move was likely informed in part by Leeds’ plan to bring in a number one regardless.
As talks progress between Leeds and Man City, Daniel Farke can be confident that Trafford will be persuaded that Elland Road is the right destination for him. Trafford’s desire for first team football and an international opening are goals Leeds can help with.
“It is no secret Trafford wants to play far more regularly than he did with City last season and he would be the undisputed No.1 at Elland Road,” reports Leeds correspondent Beren Cross.
“The West Yorkshire outfit will also lean on the platform they gave Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach in returning to their national teams.
“Leeds will hope Trafford can be their long-term solution between the sticks. Illan Meslier has finally moved on after a prolonged demise of his Elland Road career.
“Lucas Perri endured a difficult first season in England. Meanwhile, Karl Darlow has left, but even if he had stayed, it is unlikely he would have been No.1 in the upcoming campaign.”
Should the transfer be completed, Trafford wouldn’t return to the Etihad Stadium until Leeds’ visit to Man City in the Premier League fixture in December.
Although he struggled for league minutes there, playing only the first three matches and the last against Aston Villa, Trafford was ever-present in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. City won both competitions while conceding just five goals in their 12 ties. Trafford kept clean sheets in both Wembley finals.
The Cumbrian goalkeeper joined City’s junior ranks from Carlisle United in 2015 and made his name at Burnley after loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers. He played 28 times for the Turf Moor club in his debut Premier League season.