James Trafford is close to finalising a £40 million move to Leeds United, just a year after joining Manchester City on a five-year deal with the ambition of becoming Pep Guardiola's first-choice goalkeeper.
From Ambition to Backup
After signing for City in 2025, Trafford said: "I am still very young and hungry to keep learning and improving – and I know there is no better environment than Manchester City to help make me become the best goalkeeper I can be." However, within weeks Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived from Paris Saint-Germain fresh from winning the Champions League, pushing Trafford to second choice.
He contributed to City's FA Cup and Carabao Cup victories last season but has international ambitions and knows he must be first choice to become England's No.1. His move to Elland Road is expected to be confirmed imminently.
City's Goalkeeping Situation
The departure leaves Manchester City needing another senior goalkeeper to compete with Donnarumma. The Blues signed former academy star Pierce Charles from Sheffield Wednesday this summer for up to £10 million, but he has joined Queens Park Rangers on loan in the Championship.
Young prospect Oliver Whatmuff, who impressed on loan at Rochdale in the National League last season as they won promotion via the playoffs, is part of City's pre-season tour squad in Asia but has agreed a loan switch to League One side Stockport County. Marcus Bettinelli, who joined from Chelsea a year ago, is expected to remain third choice, meaning manager Enzo Maresca will likely seek another goalkeeper.
