Leeds United are stepping up their preparations for the new Premier League campaign in the United States, having opened their pre-season schedule with a 3-2 defeat to Wrexham on Saturday night.
Daniel Farke’s players returned to Thorp Arch last week for fitness assessments before travelling across the Atlantic for a series of summer friendlies.
Four members of the squad were left behind: Max Wober, Largie Ramazani, Jack Harrison and Joe Gelhardt. All four spent last season out on loan and are widely expected to leave Elland Road on permanent deals before the transfer window closes.
Wober has already completed his departure after joining Schalke on a free transfer, while Harrison has sealed a permanent move to MLS side New England Revolution.
Ramazani and Gelhardt, however, are still waiting for their futures to be resolved. Valencia have yet to follow up on Ramazani’s loan spell with a permanent offer, while interest in Gelhardt has gone quiet since Hull City backed away from a deal.
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Leeds United have yet to give final approval to a major exit
Leeds United are closing in on the signing of Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford after the England international approved a move to Elland Road this summer.
The Whites have made strong progress in negotiations, with a broad agreement on personal terms already in place between Trafford’s representatives and the club. The 23-year-old is now eager to complete the transfer, while talks with Manchester City continue.
Trafford’s arrival is expected to spark another significant change in Leeds’ goalkeeping department.
Lucas Perri is keen to leave Elland Road and has already agreed personal terms on a four-year contract with Torino ahead of a proposed move to Italy.
The Serie A side have also reached an agreement with Leeds over a loan deal that includes an option to buy, and had been hoping to complete Perri’s medical on Tuesday.
However, there is still no final agreement over agent commission, and according to Italian outlet Calciomercato.com, Torino are still waiting for Leeds’ final approval.
The Whites are waiting to finalise James Trafford’s transfer before sanctioning Perri’s move to Torino this summer.
Perri is with the rest of the Leeds squad in the United States and is waiting for everything to be finalised before he can travel to Italy to complete the move.
Leeds will need one more goalkeeper if Lucas Perri leaves
Signing James Trafford would be a major statement of intent from Leeds, with the England international expected to become the club’s long-term first-choice goalkeeper.
Even so, Trafford is unlikely to be the final addition between the posts. If Lucas Perri completes his anticipated move to Torino, Leeds will need to recruit another goalkeeper before the transfer window shuts.
Karl Darlow’s departure had already left Daniel Farke needing reinforcements in that area, and Perri’s expected exit means signing two goalkeepers this summer has become essential.
Trafford is set to establish himself as Leeds’ undisputed number one, but the squad will still require an experienced back-up. Alex Cairns is regarded as a dependable third-choice option, leaving the Whites in need of another senior goalkeeper to provide competition and reliable cover throughout the campaign.
