James Trafford should be a priority target for Leeds United in the upcoming transfer window.
The Manchester City goalkeeper could be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium once again after losing the number one spot to Gianluigi Donnarumma this season.
Daniel Farke reinstated Karl Darlow in between the sticks earlier on in the campaign after Lucas Perri’s struggles, but the Whites could certainly do with an upgrade over the Wales international.
Against Tottenham Hotspur away from home on 11 May, the 35-year-old goalkeeper should have arguably saved Mathys Tel’s shot after getting his fingertips to it, with the game eventually ending in a 1-1 draw after Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from the spot.
Darlow has been key at Elland Road to the Peacocks’ Premier League survival hopes, but 49ers Enterprises should be looking to sign a quality shot-stopper in the summer.
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Karl Darlow gamble may not pay off at Leeds United next season
Leeds clearly didn’t think Darlow was good enough to be their number one in the Premier League last summer, leading to Perri’s arrival.
After the Brazilian goalkeeper failed to live up to expectations, the Welshman has once again been called upon but has recorded a goals-prevented score of -2.4, as per Sofascore.
The veteran shot-stopper has kept four clean sheets in 20 Premier League appearances, conceded 1.2 goals per game, saved none of the two penalties he has faced and made one error that has led to a shot.
At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Darlow completed 23 of his 44 passes, with just 28 per cent of his long balls finding a teammate.
The veteran goalkeeper didn’t have much to do in the game, making one save and recording a goals-prevented score of -0.03, indicating that he could have undoubtedly done better.
James Trafford bargain transfer should be on cards at Elland Road
Leeds’ move for Trafford would surely be a no-brainer for them if they have ambitions of avoiding another Premier League relegation battle next season.
While the 23-year-old England international surely won’t come cheap, the Whites should look at securing a multiple-year loan deal for him if they can.
Another way to convince Man City to sell him for a lower price could potentially be to include multiple bonuses, a buyback clause and a hefty sell-on clause for any future move.
A reliable number one would certainly help Farke take the West Yorkshire outfit a step further next season, but it remains to be seen who they will end up signing.