NafisaLeeds United supporters thought the long wait was finally over.
After weeks of speculation, negotiations and constant updates from some of football’s most reliable transfer insiders, the Whites are now understood to have agreed a club-record £40 million deal, plus add-ons, with Manchester City for England goalkeeper James Trafford.
With the agreement widely reported and personal terms already settled, many fans expected the official announcement to arrive almost immediately.
Instead, there has been silence.
That unexpected delay has left plenty of supporters asking the same question: if everything is agreed, why hasn’t Leeds unveiled their new No. 1 yet?
As it turns out, there is a very specific reason behind the hold-up—and it has little to do with the transfer itself.
According to LeedsLive and Italian outlet Calciomercato, the delay is linked to the future of current goalkeeper Lucas Perri.
Serie A side Torino have already made formal approaches to sign the Brazilian and are pushing to complete a loan deal that includes an option to buy.
However, Leeds have made their position crystal clear.
The club will not allow Perri to leave Elland Road until Trafford’s arrival is officially completed, ensuring Daniel Farke is never left short of senior goalkeepers during the transfer process.
Calciomercato claims Torino sporting director Gianluca Petrachi is already finalising the operation, with Perri effectively waiting for the green light before travelling to Italy for his medical.
In other words, the Brazilian’s departure is being held back solely because Leeds are waiting for Trafford’s move to become official.
There is another factor contributing to the timing.
Manchester City recently announced their squad for the pre-season tour of Asia, with Trafford absent from the travelling group.
The club explained that players involved in the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup have been granted additional rest before returning for the new campaign.
Trafford was part of England’s World Cup squad, meaning he is currently entitled to an extended break before reporting for pre-season duties.
That has naturally slowed the final stages of the process, even though the transfer itself is understood to be virtually complete.
Once the paperwork is signed and Trafford is officially unveiled, Leeds are expected to immediately approve Perri’s move to Torino.
For Daniel Farke, the England international has long been the club’s first-choice target.
Leeds believe Trafford possesses all the qualities needed to become their long-term No. 1, with the 23-year-old expected to walk straight into the starting XI ahead of the new Premier League season.
If everything goes according to plan, the record-breaking transfer should soon be confirmed, triggering Perri’s exit and bringing one of the biggest goalkeeping deals in Leeds United’s history to a successful conclusion.
For now, the deal isn’t being delayed because of any last-minute collapse or disagreement—it’s simply a carefully managed sequence of transfers designed to ensure Leeds are never left without the goalkeeping cover they need as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.
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