NafisaFor weeks, Leeds United supporters have been counting down the days until one of the biggest transfers of the summer finally becomes official.
The deal has taken longer than many expected, leading to growing speculation across social media, but behind the scenes there has never been any real concern that the move would collapse.
Personal terms have long since been agreed, the player has already made his preference clear, and Leeds remain confident they are closing in on one of England’s brightest goalkeeping talents.
What many fans may not realise, however, is just how close another Premier League club came to hijacking the transfer.
Newcastle United had been monitoring the Manchester City goalkeeper for well over a year and seriously explored bringing him to St James’ Park this summer.
In the end, though, the Magpies pulled out of the race—and fresh reports have now revealed exactly why.
According to the Shields Gazette, Newcastle decided the overall package required to sign James Trafford was simply too expensive.
The England international is expected to join Leeds United in a deal worth more than £40 million, while his contract is also believed to be worth around £130,000 per week.
Rather than matching those demands, Newcastle opted to spread their investment across two different goalkeepers, signing Ewan Jouen and Lucas Hornicek in deals worth a combined £44 million.
Club officials reportedly believe they made the correct financial decision by walking away from the Trafford deal.
From Leeds’ perspective, however, the story looks very different.
Daniel Farke’s side identified Trafford as their undisputed No.1 target early in the transfer window and have remained committed despite interest from elsewhere.
The 23-year-old has already agreed to the move and remains expected to complete his switch to Elland Road once Leeds and Manchester City finalise the remaining details of the agreement.
Trafford is currently back with Manchester City after receiving additional time off following England’s World Cup campaign, but with Leeds now back from their pre-season tour of the United States, there is growing expectation the transfer will soon be completed.
For many inside Elland Road, this has never simply been about signing another goalkeeper.
Trafford is regarded as one of England’s finest young talents and is widely tipped to become the country’s future No.1.
Last season, despite limited first-team opportunities at Manchester City, he still produced clean sheets in both the FA Cup Final and EFL Cup Final, helping Pep Guardiola’s side lift silverware.
While Newcastle have attempted to justify their decision to walk away, Leeds appear to have won one of the biggest transfer races of the summer by offering Trafford exactly what he wanted most—regular Premier League football and the chance to establish himself as one of England’s elite goalkeepers.
Barring any late surprises, Leeds’ long search for a new No.1 finally looks set to end.
Nafisa
