Leeds United have made an encouraging start to their summer rebuild, but Daniel Farke and the club’s recruitment team know there is still plenty of business to complete before the new Premier League season begins.
The Whites kicked off their transfer activity by bringing in Harry Wilson on a free transfer before following it up with the £34 million signing of centre-back Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
Leeds are now on the verge of completing another major deal, with Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford expected to arrive in a club-record £45 million transfer.
However, the summer has not been without its setbacks. Leeds were unable to convince Julian Brandt to move to Elland Road, with the Germany international ultimately choosing Ajax over a switch to West Yorkshire.
Leeds are also focused on a few departures, and a certain player is set to leave in the coming days as a deal gets finalised.
Read More: Major details emerge about Leeds star’s pending transfer exit
Elland Road departure is on the cards in the next few days
Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford after the England international approved a move to Elland Road.
The two clubs have made strong progress in negotiations, with Leeds already reaching a broad agreement on personal terms with the 23-year-old and agreeing the framework of a deal with Manchester City. Trafford is eager to complete the move, and the final details are now being worked through.
His arrival is also set to trigger changes in Leeds’ goalkeeping department ahead of the new campaign.
Lucas Perri is expected to leave Elland Road after agreeing personal terms with Torino, with the Brazilian now closing in on a move to Serie A.
Torino have an agreement in place with Leeds to sign him on loan with an option to buy this summer.
According to La Stampa via Tutto Mercato, a deal is expected to be executed in the next few days for Perri to join Torino this summer.
All agreements are in place, and Perri is only waiting for Leeds’ green light to travel to Italy to complete the loan move.
Leeds will sanction the move as soon as they finalise the arrival of Trafford.
The Whites will need one more goalkeeper after Lucas Perri leaves
Signing James Trafford would be a huge statement of intent from Leeds United, with the England international expected to make the number one shirt his own for the foreseeable future.
But Trafford is unlikely to be the last goalkeeper through the door this summer. With Lucas Perri closing in on a move to Torino, Daniel Farke will still need another senior option before the transfer window shuts.
Leeds had already identified the goalkeeper as a position that needed strengthening following Karl Darlow’s departure, and Perri’s expected exit has only reinforced the need to recruit twice.
Trafford is set to arrive as the club’s clear first-choice goalkeeper, but the Whites also want an experienced deputy.
Alex Cairns is regarded as a dependable third-choice option rather than a genuine back-up, so Leeds are expected to bring in another senior goalkeeper to provide both competition and reliable cover over the course of the season.
