Leeds United look as though they will be pursuing some ambitious transfer deals if they manage to stay in the Premier League come the end of the season.
For the most part, the 49ers recruited excellently last summer, and they will need to do the same again as they attempt to establish Leeds as a Premier League outfit.
New signings like Gabriel Gudmundsson and Anton Stach have already drastically improved Daniel Farke’s side this season, and if United can recruit a couple more players of this calibre in the summer, then Leeds could find themselves sat comfortably in mid-table next season.
According to the latest reports, the Whites look as though they are prioritising a deal for an England star, who would radically improve one particular weak area in Farke’s current squad.
Leeds will “enter the race” for James Trafford should they stay up
The signing of Lucas Perri last summer is perhaps the only new arrival at Leeds who has failed to settle in West Yorkshire, with the Brazilian now being viewed as second choice behind Karl Darlow.
Prior to being dropped by Farke for Premier League fixtures, Perri had a catalogue of costly errors, and despite arriving at Elland Road for a sizeable fee not even 12 months ago, Leeds look as though they are prepared to move on and sign a new keeper.
According to reports from FourFourTwo, Leeds will attempt to sign out-of-favour Manchester City shot stopper Trafford in the summer if United retain their top-flight status.
The report goes on to claim that Leeds hope to lure him to Elland Road with the promise of first-team football, but are likely to face competition from multiple other Premier League sides, with Newcastle also interested in securing Trafford’s services.
Leeds are not expected to be Trafford’s first choice, but the clear pathway to being the club’s number one could work in the Whites’ favour as they look to get a deal over the line.
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James Trafford was exceptional during his most recent outing
Despite being an England international, Trafford, similarly to Perri in many ways, has found himself relegated to playing only in cup competitions rather than the league following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Despite losing his starting place for Man City in the league after just three appearances, Trafford has impressed when he has played in the cups, with the Englishman even featuring for Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley in March as they defeated Arsenal in the League Cup final.
The shot stopper’s most recent appearance came in Man City’s 4-0 demolition of Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final, with data suggesting Trafford had an exceptional game.
- Trafford made five saves in the game, including one from the penalty spot to deny Mohamed Salah
- The 23-year-old managed to complete two high claims as well as a successful run-out during the game
- Out of the 14 passes Trafford attempted, he completed 12 of them (Sofascore)
If United could somehow convince Trafford to come to West Yorkshire, no matter what fee they would have to fork out, it could end up being one of the best pieces of business in the club’s recent history.
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