Leeds United Transfer Updates: Trafford Set to Join After Perri's Move

Leeds United are quietly rearranging the furniture in their goalkeeping department, and one move now looks set to unlock another.

Lucas Perri is on the brink of a switch to Torino, a deal that would clear the way for James Trafford to finally walk through the doors at Elland Road. Leeds have entered negotiations with the Serie A side, who have made Perri their priority target for the summer window and are confident of getting it over the line.

Only minor details remain before Perri’s transfer is completed, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Brazilian, who spent a year at Lyon before joining Leeds, is understood to be keen on a move to Italy and has already been the subject of an initial proposal from Torino.

That first offer came as a loan with an option to buy for the 28-year-old. Leeds, though, want a permanent fee in the region of £8.5million and have held firm. Once an agreement is struck, the dominoes should fall quickly.

Because waiting in the wings is Trafford.

The Manchester City goalkeeper, who returned to the Etihad last summer, has been stuck behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and has barely had a sniff of first-team football. His situation has drawn interest across the Premier League, but Leeds have pushed hardest and are now closing in on a deal, as first reported by talkSPORT.

Trafford has history with Newcastle. He came close to joining the Magpies a year ago and their interest resurfaced again this summer, yet no formal offer has landed on City’s desk for the 23-year-old. Leeds have stepped into that gap, with the England international keen on the chance to become first choice in West Yorkshire.

Daniel Farke has long admired the former Burnley keeper and plans to build his defence around him. Barring late disruption, Trafford is set to arrive as Leeds’ No.1 for the 2026/27 campaign, a clear statement about the direction of the club under the German.

Farke reshapes his squad

It has already been a busy window. Farke has added two new outfield signings, each pointing to a manager intent on tightening his side’s structure and raising the level of competition.

Bosnian centre-back Tarik Muharemovic has checked in, adding depth and youth to the heart of the defence. He joins Harry Wilson, snapped up as a free agent after his exit from Fulham, to bolster Leeds’ attacking options and set-piece threat.

These moves come off the back of a season that could easily have unravelled. Farke steered Leeds to 15th place in the Premier League, easing them away from a relegation scrap and finishing nine points clear of the bottom three thanks to a strong run-in. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was stabilising – and it has given the club a platform to be more ambitious this summer.

Now the focus sharpens on what comes next.

Leeds open their 2026/27 campaign away at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, August 22, a fixture that will offer an immediate test of their new spine. Brentford, Brighton and Newcastle follow, a demanding but manageable run that should give an early indication of whether Farke’s rebuild is ready to climb the table rather than glance nervously over its shoulder.

If Perri’s sale goes through and Trafford steps into the vacancy as planned, Leeds will walk into that opening month with a new goalkeeper, fresh signings, and a manager who has quietly been given the tools to push this squad on.

The pieces are moving. Now Leeds have to prove they’ve put them in the right places.