England star James Trafford closing in on £40million transfer after just 17 games with Man City

JAMES TRAFFORD is closing in on a £40million move to Leeds. The Man City goalkeeper is Elland Road-bound just a year after arriving at the Etihad in a £27million move from Burnley. Trafford played every minute as Man City won both the FA and Carabao Cups last season Credit: Getty Trafford watches on following England’s 4-2 win over Croatia at the World Cup Credit: Getty Trafford, 23, will become Leeds’ third summer signing following the arrivals of Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson. Karl Darlow’s move to Man Utd had left Daniel Farke on the hunt for a new goalkeeper, with Alex Cairns set to be Trafford’s deputy. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Newcastle had also been interested in signing him, but their interest faded with the signing of £18.5m Ewen Jaouen from Reims. Trafford cast doubt on his Man City future while away with England at the World Cup. Though he played every match in both of City’s domestic cup wins, he made just four Premier League appearances following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival. Asked if he would be leaving the Etihad, Trafford said: “It’s obviously been very challenging the past season, but looking back, I’ve learned so much, I’ve developed so much. “I thought I’d had a lot of experiences up to this point in my career, but this was a new experience for me in everything. “It was obviously very tough. Some days were harder than others.” Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Trafford also noted the need to be a No1 somewhere if he wishes to overtake Jordan Pickford as Thomas Tuchel’s go-to man between the sticks. Tuchel handed Trafford his Three Lions debut in March, and was part of the World Cup squad, but failed to make an appearance. Comment now