Leeds United are in discussions to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, just a year after the England international returned to the Etihad. Trafford, 23, could leave this summer after seeing his playing time restricted following City's September signing of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain. Newcastle and Aston Villa both held an interest in Trafford this summer, but Villa now expect Emi Martinez to stay at the club. Leeds are looking for a new goalkeeper after Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier left Elland Road this summer. Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns remain on the books, but Perri lost his place to Darlow in the second half of last season and did not play in the Premier League after a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle on 7 January. Trafford played 17 times for City last season — four times in the Premier League — after returning from Burnley, and won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. He started his career at City, with loan spells at Accrington and Bolton, before leaving for Burnley in 2023, where he made 73 appearances. City then activated their buyback option last summer for £27m plus add-ons.
Separately, Manchester United continue to be linked with Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson in a move that could solve two problems at Old Trafford. Robinson, an experienced Premier League defender, is the one United striker Bryan Mbeumo hates coming up against the most. Mbeumo named Robinson the toughest defender he has ever faced, saying on the Obi One podcast last year: "I used to play against him when he was at Wigan and (he) changed completely. When he arrived he was really athletic, quick, but with his feet he was like, not so good, you know? But throughout the years he improved a lot, and I think now he can do everything. He can attack, he can defend, he's strong, he's good with his feet now, and yeah, I think really, really hard to play against him." United manager Michael Carrick is understood to be monitoring Robinson closely as he looks to provide competition at left-back. Luke Shaw remains the only recognised senior option after Tyrell Malacia's contract expired, with Harry Amass — who has just seven first-team appearances — considered too raw to shoulder the burden alone. Robinson has 26 goal contributions in 215 Premier League appearances and 58 caps for the United States, scoring five times. His age has been flagged as a potential obstacle — with The Guardian reporting that Robinson falls outside United's preferred target profile — but his quality continues to attract suitors. Robinson is believed to be available for approximately £25m, a fee that could represent outstanding value. For United, securing Robinson alongside the returning Shaw would provide dependable cover and allow Amass to develop at a sensible pace.
“Leeds in talks for City's Trafford; Man United target Robinson to solve left-back issues and please Mbeumo.”