Ciaran Morrison

Fri 17 April 2026 12:00, UK

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Leeds United could fend off competition from Tottenham and Newcastle to sign Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.

That is the prediction from former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, who views Leeds as the best next step in Trafford’s career.

The 23-year-old has been left frustrated as the number two goalkeeper at Man City this season, and will explore a move away from the Etihad this summer.

Trafford wants to become the number one shot stopper at another Premier League club, meaning there has been plenty of interest in his services.

Leeds will want to strengthen their squad in the summer if they secure Premier League safety, which Daniel Farke’s side are on course to achieve.

James Trafford should pursue Leeds switch

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Man City would be looking to sell Trafford at up to £30million.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness would be advising Trafford to join Leeds over Spurs and Newcastle.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think Leeds are the right fit for James. £25m to £30m would be good for him.

“With Spurs, I don’t know if Trafford really wants to play Championship football. And Newcastle, perhaps, have other priorities that they’re going to have to fill in terms of all this moving around. If they start changing the goalkeeper and defensive side, as well as the midfield and strikers, it’s going to be just too much change.

“As we all know, you can have too much change. Newcastle have got a lot to handle there. So if I were him and his agent, I’d be looking to go to Leeds.

“He’d fit into a squad that is showing great team spirit. They’ve got a reasonable defence right now that he can sit behind, and he’d be an addition to the squad. He will do well under Daniel Farke. So if I were his agent, I’d be advising him to go to Leeds right now.”

Leeds begin preparations for 2026-27 season

With preparations under way at Elland Road ahead of next season, former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Leeds are unlikely to sack Farke in the immediate future.

Farke has proved his doubters wrong this season, with Leeds sitting six points above the relegation zone with just six Premier League matches remaining.

The 49-year-old will be backed in the summer transfer window, with a key priority to add further threat going forward to ease the burden off Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Whites must also resolve the futures of players like Joel Piroe and Ao Tanaka, who could both leave the club this summer.