Leeds United have identified James Trafford as their sole active target in goal this summer.
They remain stuck in a valuation deadlock with Southampton over Shea Charles, and retain genuine interest in free agent Julian Brandt. Several other names circulating this week are, on our understanding, not live pursuits.
The update lands as Daniel Farke’s squad departs for a pre-season tour of the United States. They will face Wrexham in Tampa, Sunderland in New Jersey and Liverpool in Chicago.
Director of football Adam Underwood and the recruitment team have stayed behind in the UK to push on with transfer business while the first team builds fitness across the Atlantic.
The goalkeeping situation is the most pressing. Illan Meslier’s departure left a gap that was never satisfactorily filled, and Karl Darlow, who ended last season as first-choice keeper, has since moved on to Manchester United.
Lucas Perri, signed for £13.9m last summer, has now agreed a loan move to Torino after one difficult Premier League season. That leaves Leeds needing a new number one before the campaign starts.
Trafford: The Only Name On The Goalkeeper Shortlist
Trafford is the goalkeeper at the very top of Leeds’ agenda and, crucially, the only keeper the club have actually made a move for. That is a significant clarification given the volume of names that have been floated in recent weeks.
The 23-year-old Manchester City shot-stopper is currently on a three-week break after helping England to a third-place finish at the World Cup.
He is expected to use that time to weigh up his next move. Leeds have been tracking him since at least February and are firmly in the conversation around a deal this summer.
On the other goalkeeper name in circulation, Royal Union Saint-Gilloise’s Kjell Scherpen, there is currently no active pursuit. Leeds are aware of the 6ft 5in Dutch keeper, but that is as far as it goes for now.
Charles: Three Approaches, No Agreement
Shea Charles is…
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