Leeds United‘s squad overhaul looks set to gather pace over the coming weeks, with two further departures expected alongside goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
The Whites have added to Daniel Farke’s squad following a solid first campaign back in the Premier League, with Harry Wilson arriving on a free transfer after leaving Fulham and Tarik Muharemovic joining as Pascal Struijk’s replacement for £34m from Sassuolo.
Next to arrive is expected to be James Trafford. The England goalkeeper appears to be closing in on a record £40m switch to Elland Road, with the move seemingly now regarded as a matter of when rather than if.
|
James Trafford’s career to date |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Youth Career |
Carlisle United and Manchester City |
Joined Manchester City’s academy from Carlisle United and progressed through every youth level, winning the FA Youth Cup and Premier League 2 titles. |
|
First Senior Loan |
Accrington Stanley |
Made his EFL debut in League One, making 11 appearances during his first loan spell. |
|
Breakthrough |
Bolton Wanderers |
Established himself as one of England’s brightest young goalkeepers, making 52 appearances, keeping 26 clean sheets and helping Bolton win the EFL Trophy. |
|
Premier League Move |
Burnley |
Signed for Burnley in a then club-record deal. Relegated in his first season before producing a record breaking Championship campaign, conceding just 16 goals in 45 matches to help Burnley earn promotion back to the Premier League alongside Leeds. |
|
Return to Manchester City |
Manchester City |
Returned to Man City after they activated a buy-back clause. Won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but found Premier League opportunities limited behind Gianluigi Donnarumma. |
|
England Youth Career |
U17, U18, U19 & U21 |
Progressed through every England age group before starring in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where the Three Lions won the tournament without conceding a single goal. |
|
Senior Caps |
England |
Progressed into the senior England squad and has since earned his first caps, establishing himself as one of the country’s leading young goalkeepers and potential long-term successor to Jordan Pickford. |
His arrival from Manchester City would immediately establish him as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and would also pave the way for another deal.
Current goalkeeper Lucas Perri has been heavily linked with a loan move to Torino throughout the transfer window, but any move is on hold until Trafford officially arrives or Leeds recruit another senior goalkeeper.
Once Trafford puts pen to paper in Yorkshire, Perri is expected to receive the green light to complete his move to Serie A. However, he may not be the only Elland Road departure between now and the deadline.
Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto expected to leave Leeds
According to Sky Sports, Joel Piroe and Wilfried Gnonto are also among the players likely to leave Leeds before the transfer window closes.
For Piroe, a move could benefit all parties. The Dutch striker found regular Premier League starts difficult to come by last season. While his finishing ability remains unquestioned, a move to a club where he can play every week could help him rediscover the consistency that made him one of the Championship’s most prolific forwards.
Gnonto finds himself in a similar position. Despite his talent, the Italian also struggled to establish himself as a guaranteed starter in the Premier League.
Competition for places and a tactical change to a back five midway through the previous campaign limited his opportunities from the start, and at just 22 years of age, regular first-team minutes are crucial if he is to continue his development and remain in the international picture.
From Leeds’ perspective, the departures could also make sense. Moving on both Piroe and Gnonto, on a combined £80,000-a-week, would reduce the wage bill, generate funds for further reinforcements and allow Farke to build a stronger squad suited to the physical demands of the Premier League.
Should both departures materialise as expected, the Whites would be saying goodbye to two more Championship title winners, however, they’d have more financial flexibility to strengthen before the deadline.
