Leeds United Pursue James Trafford as Lucas Perri Departure Nears
Leeds United’s goalkeeping reshuffle is gathering pace, and the picture is suddenly very clear. Lucas Perri is heading for the exit. James Trafford is being lined up to walk straight through the door.
talkSPORT reported on Thursday that Leeds are closing in on the Manchester City goalkeeper, and the domino that needed to fall is now tilting. Torino have moved for Perri, making the Brazilian their priority target in Serie A, and talks between the Italian club and Leeds are advancing.
The deal is not done yet, but it is close. Fabrizio Romano has indicated that only a few details remain before Perri’s transfer can be completed. The 28-year-old, who had a 12‑month spell at Lyon before joining Leeds, is understood to be keen on a switch to Italy, and Torino’s interest has been persistent.
Their first approach came in the form of a loan with an option to buy. Leeds, though, are pushing for a permanent solution and value Perri at around £8.5million. That stance has helped define the structure of negotiations and underlines how central Trafford is to Daniel Farke’s plans. Once Perri’s move is finalised, the path for Trafford to Elland Road should be clear.
Trafford’s situation at Manchester City has been quietly simmering. He returned to the Etihad last summer but found his route to the first team blocked after the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Regular football has been scarce. For a 23‑year‑old England international, that can only be a short-term reality.
Leeds are ready to offer him the one thing City cannot: the No 1 shirt and a full Premier League season in front of him.
Newcastle had pushed hard for Trafford before. A move to St James’ Park was close 12 months ago, and their interest flickered again this summer, but crucially, no formal offer has arrived from the Magpies. Leeds have stepped into that space with conviction, and Farke’s long-standing admiration for the former Burnley keeper has helped drive the move.
If, as expected, Trafford signs, he will not be coming to sit on the bench. He is being lined up as first-choice goalkeeper for the 2026/27 campaign, the cornerstone of a new spine Farke is quietly assembling.
A busy window, a changing squad
This has already been an active window at Elland Road. Farke has not ripped everything up, but he has started to reshape key areas.
- Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemovic has arrived to strengthen the defence, adding youth and physicality.
- Harry Wilson, snapped up as a free agent after leaving Fulham, offers proven Premier League craft and a left foot that can change games in an instant.
Layer Trafford on top of that, and you begin to see the outline of a side being built with clear intent: younger, hungrier, technically comfortable, and with resale value.
It comes on the back of a season that steadied the club without ever allowing anyone to relax. Farke steered Leeds to 15th place, nine points clear of the relegation zone, thanks largely to a strong run of form in the closing weeks. It was enough to avoid a dogfight, not enough to satisfy long-term ambitions.
This summer is about turning survival into something more ambitious.
The road ahead
The fixture list offers no time for hesitation. Leeds open their 2026/27 Premier League campaign away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 22, a trip that will test any new combinations at the back from the first whistle. Brentford, Brighton and Newcastle follow, a run that will quickly expose weaknesses but also hand Farke’s side a chance to bank early points.
If Trafford is between the posts by then, he will walk straight into a defining spell: new club, new responsibility, and a fanbase that has long craved a commanding presence in goal.
Leeds are clearing space, cashing in where they must, and backing their manager’s judgement. The question now is simple: with Trafford likely to anchor the rebuild, how far can this version of Leeds United climb?
