Leeds United target ‘outstanding’ Manchester City keeper James Trafford amid transfer race with Burnley and Leicester

Leeds United are in the hunt for “outstanding” young Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, according to the Daily Mail.

The 20-year-old has been in top form at the under-21 European Championships with England and the treble winners will “consider selling” as the market for him develops as a result.

The Whites face competition from relegated rivals Leicester, who have made the first move in asking the Champions about a deal.

Also interested are Vincent Kompany’s promoted Burnley side, as teams start to queue up for the youngster who City teammate Cole Palmer has already tipped to be “world class” after his performances this summer on international duty [via Manchester Evening News, 1 July].

Leeds United are in need of reinforcements in goal after Joel Robles contract expired and with Illan Meslier tipped as a possible departure [Daily Mail, 26 June].

Assuming the Frenchman leaves this summer there is going to be a big gap to fill at the back of the XI since, regardless of how his form deteriorated late in the season, he has been a mainstay in this Leeds United side for the past few seasons.

Robles was fine for the few games he played under Sam Allardyce, and there is a chance he comes back, but Everton are thought to be interested so that can’t be confirmed [The Athletic, 12 June].

Either way, it is likely that at least one signing needs to be made at the position with just Kristoffer Klaesson after the top two options, who has made a single first-team appearance as a substitute so far.

Granted, Trafford hasn’t played for the City first team, although it is perhaps slightly more difficult for a young keeper to break into Pep Guardiola’s side.

He has however played extensively for Bolton over the past season and a half, after a spell with Accrington Stanley, and while both were in League One his stock is high and he looks ready for a step up.

Burnley being a top flight side obviously makes them a more attractive option in some ways, but the chance to possibly be an immediate starter for a Leeds United side looking to make an immediate return to the Premier League is an opportunity that isn’t to be sniffed at either.