Leeds Banter 2

23 Jul 2026 21:59:30
David Ornstein Bomba!

Trafford in talks with Leeds!

23 Jul 2026 21:00:44
Looks like Baz will be eating his words 😉.

23 Jul 2026 21:57:59
Hehe, steady, hold dem horses. 🐎 Corkey.

..No, here we go cigar yet!

And as I said earlier, if Trafford were to eventually sign for LUFC, I do wonder how much dosh there's left in transfer kitty 😺 thus window for other much needed reinforcements such as a quality striker? 🤔

An intriguing news day.

23 Jul 2026 22:39:11
That's why one or two players like Piroe will be sold.
But not a striker, not this season.

23 Jul 2026 23:16:28
A striker is coming, I have no doubt.

23 Jul 2026 23:30:59
Hope so, Corkey.

And, to be frank, I would much, much rather Leeds sign a £50 million striker than a £50 million goalkeeper.

Longing for a striker of the skill and talent of the likes of Viduka, Charles, Clarke, Jones, Yeboah, Hasselbaink, etc etc.

A top striker wins more matches than a top keeper imo.

24 Jul 2026 07:11:51
And yet, you've spent so much time berating all things goalkeeping, from the players themselves, to the manager, their coaches, the scouts, the recruitment team - the whole shabang? Makes sense.

24 Jul 2026 08:01:20
Make your mind up, Baz, do we need a quality gk or don't we?
If a good striker can score a lot of goals, can not a goalkeeper prevent a lot of opposition goals.
I sense an excuse incoming for your prediction of no new number one being brought in this summer, literally two days ago.

24 Jul 2026 09:15:13
Erroneous points, Bright and OP.

I clearly stated in 2 posts on here yesterday that:

1) As well as it being regrettable that Darlow had left LUFC.

2) That there were plenty of quality, reliable goalkeepers that can be secured for far, far less than the £40 plus million whopping outlay on Trafford.



3) How much of our reported moderate transfer kitty would be left to sign other players in vital positions.

And,

4) I stated immediately yesterday my very considerable concern indeed at the reported buy back clause of Citehs.

24 Jul 2026 09:21:38
.And so yes OP, we do indeed need a quality gk, but not a £40 to 50 million one decimating our transfer kitty, and with a blooming buyback clause!

And yes, much rather a £50 million striker. Viduka won Leeds United way more games than Martyn or Robbo.



Trafford conceded a barrel load of goals for Burnley in 23/24 EPL seez, and couldn't prevent them at all from being relegated.

If Burnley had had a top striker, they may well have stayed up that seez!

24 Jul 2026 09:31:11
So perhaps you would prefer to keep Perri, as clearly goal-leaking Trafford is no better than him?

When will you ever be satisfied with this eternal merry-go-round of never being satisfied with any goalkeeper?

Or is it, as per usual, just to satisfy your unrealistic agendas?

24 Jul 2026 09:41:31
No, of course definitely not Perri.
A very reliable, dependable gk can be recruited for far, far, far less.

Look at Roefs at Sunderland for starters.

The Croatia national keeper is available, many others.

24 Jul 2026 09:44:24
..And re being satisfied with keepers, OP..

I was very satisfied with the very reliable Karl Darlow. It was very bad news for LUFC that he left.

24 Jul 2026 11:03:38
Having a half decent last season isn't enough for Leeds and Darlow knew it. Sadly for him the writing was already on the wall and he knew it.
That's why he's gone to the team where he'll hardly play but pick up a decent wage packet for him and his family.



Christ Baz, everything is either black or white to you. Do you ever look in between?

24 Jul 2026 11:25:23
Darlow was more than 'half decent' last seez. He was very good for more than half a seez, and you know it, OP.

Leeds preferring to look for another number 1. Ok.. but they don't need to spend £40 million plus doing so.

24 Jul 2026 12:44:18
Baz, believe me. Darlow only had a half-decent season. To us, yes, he looked good, but he was nowhere near the top-ranked keepers in the Premiership.
He only kept five clean sheets last season, with a 70% save rate, which is nothing remarkable.


Darlow is 35 yrs old, and looking for some security for the next three or four seasons, warming the bench.

This is not the 1970s anymore, Baz. Good players cost a lot of money, tens of millions.
Get up to date. My advice.

24 Jul 2026 12:57:23
5 clean sheets in 23 games is good, OP. Especially in a side battling relegation all seez.

As for value.

Roefs had an excellent seez for Sunderland. Cost £9 million.

Raphinha, an absolute worldie of a winger, cost us just £17 million.

There's great value out there, fella.

Anyways.. Good debate, cheers.

24 Jul 2026 13:18:28
A top striker may win more matches than a top keeper, Baz, but a top GK loses less. If it's 1:1 and the striker makes a cock up, it's still 1:1, but if it's 1:1 and the GK makes a cock up, it's 2:1 down.

24 Jul 2026 21:15:41
After not saving any penalties, I seem to recall you describing Darlow as a "huge disappointment", Baz. You also described Perri as a "true No 1 at last".

Captain Flip-flop comes to mind!

24 Jul 2026 21:32:04
How is my point at all erroneous?

24 Jul 2026 23:46:01
Ani, Darlow didn't save any pens in his first Leeds Utd appearance in League Cup back in Aug 2024. Since then he has been excellent, and I have championed him.

Re Perri, that's pure fiction on your part.

So no, Ani.

23 Jul 2026 17:04:54
James Trafford to #LUFC latest:

• The goalkeeper wants to join Leeds United. Talks are extremely advanced – first-option/ buyback clause and club performance clauses being negotiated within Trafford's Leeds contract. [Ben Jacobs/ Alex Crook]

• Newcastle were offered the player in June while discussing Sandro Tonali but no interest. Leeds are leading the race. [David Ornstein]

• Aston Villa and Spurs were also keen, but Trafford wants to play at Leeds – he sees a chance to build his future at the club. [Daily Mail]

• Villa dropped out of the race after deciding to retain Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Newcastle baulked at City's £40m valuation. Leeds have been working on the deal since February. [James Marshment]

James Trafford would be an enormous statement and a transformational signing for Leeds.

When Lucas Perri was dropped last season, he had the worst save percentage in the Premier League. Trafford had the 2nd best in all competitions (75.5%) with 5.8 prevented goals per xGoT. [Jonny Cooper – Opta]

The 6'5" 23-year-old was between the sticks for Burnley in their race to 100 points during the 2024-25 season, when Leeds also reached that tally.

But where Leeds won the Championship with attacking power and possession, Burnley came 2nd through defensive solidity and Trafford was a big part of that - conceding just 16 goals in 45 games.

That season at Burnley, Trafford had an 84.6% save percentage, prevented 12.58 goals, saved the 2 penalties he faced, made 88 saves and kept 29 clean sheets. [fotMOB]

Trafford's time at Burnley was so impressive it made Manchester City trigger their buy-back clause (first option/ price match) and pay a record fee for a British goalkeeper to take him back to the Etihad when they paid £27m (rising to £31m) .

That clause was triggered when Newcastle bid £31m for the player.

Manchester City are negotiating a similar buyback clause with Leeds.

Last year, Trafford signed a five-year deal with the club he spent his youth at.

But the goalkeeper was gazumped when the Citizens brought in Gianluigi Donnarumma on deadline day and Trafford was demoted to the bench.

City value the player at £40m – meaning that should that valuation be met, he would break his own British record fee for a goalkeeper again within a year.

This would be a monumental statement of a signing from Leeds United.

A top goalkeeper was one of the biggest missing pieces from the starting eleven and cost the Yorkshire club significantly at the start of last season.

In fact, goalkeepers have been a problem position for the Whites for years.

Illan Meslier, Kiko Casilla, Bailey Peacock-Farrell all came, were relatively poor and left. Karl Darlow was Leeds' best option since Rob Green.

But James Trafford might be the best goalkeeper to pull on a Leeds shirt since. Paul Robinson? Nigel Martyn?

Trafford is England's number one-in-waiting. He was at the World Cup this summer which is why a deal has taken this long to materialise.

The transfer is very advanced, but it is still not done. But if Leeds land Trafford, and he stays fit and performs anywhere near the levels he is capable – it would open up many possibilities for Leeds including reverting to Farke's favoured 4-2-3-1.

With a top stopper between the sticks, Leeds' attack could be unlocked, knowing that they can take a few more risks.

This is a very, very, exciting potential transfer.

And this window is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory for Leeds United.

Adonis Storr on X.

23 Jul 2026 17:55:05
Brilliant post, absolutely spot on. What a statement signing, indeed. He could be our keeper for ten years!
Please let this happen.

23 Jul 2026 17:55:07
Get it done, whatever the cost, he's young & only going to improve!. 💙💛🤍

23 Jul 2026 17:56:34
Hmm.
So, if Leeds were to splash £40 million plus of their moderate transfer kitty on Trafford..

Citeh could buy him back with their own negotiated first option buy-back clause next summer?

Better be a considerably higher buy-back clause for a good profit, at least.

23 Jul 2026 18:05:41
Agree, Alf, with most of what you've said. It will be a big statement if we get him, and hopefully stop the procession of not necessarily poor but definitely inconsistent keepers we've had for some time.
Those we've bought so far have been upgrades, and we've not lost anyone apart from Pascal, although I think there might be an odd one or two from last year's squad who do move on.
We've also managed to shift some wages with Wober, and hopefully JH.


We still need an additional striker, an am, and a bit more cover at fb, so I hope there will be more incomings.
Just back to Trafford. You mentioned his shot-stopping ability. My Burnley mate, who's a season-ticket holder, has seen a lot of him, and his comments were that he is a great shot-stopper, but if he has a weakness it's with crosses. I'm sorry to see KD go, but hopefully we'll get someone who can be a step up.

23 Jul 2026 18:15:29
Potential deal breaker for me, he must agree upon signing that he will only ever have his first name "James" on his shirt, no agreement, no deal.

James, less letters, cheaper to print, win win!

23 Jul 2026 18:22:30
Weakness for 40 million. 🤦‍♂️

23 Jul 2026 18:29:43
Indeed, Dune. Definitely sorry to see Darlow go, and yes, Trafford isn't great at commanding his area and coming for crosses.

Although Trafford had a good season for Burnley in Champo.

Trafford did concede a whopping 62 goals in 28 games for Burnley in EPL seez 23/24.

Not sure of his save % in 23/24.

But yes, he is a good shot stopper imo.

No surprise at all on Perri having the worst gk save percentage stats in EPL last seez. Woeful signing by Leeds.

23 Jul 2026 18:17:19
Harrison deal my be on the cards I do hope we can offload this man at ant cost get him gone with the worst luck in your playing career possible as he stuck two fingers up to us, no great loss anyway.

23 Jul 2026 22:55:03
The only words in Alf's post I don't like are "buyback clause". We mustn't accept a deal like the one Burnley had where MC were able to demand he be sold back to them. First refusal is fine, mandatory sale is not. It will certainly be a statement deal if it comes off.

23 Jul 2026 23:07:14
Don't worry about the name Trafford on his shirt, Class, when Old Trashyard is demolished, Devon's new home will be the Snapdragon Stadium or something similar.

24 Jul 2026 07:16:44
I hope it earns the name "Theatre of Memes", when they get relegated to the champo in their first season playing there!

24 Jul 2026 08:02:00
Just to clarify, I don't write that it's a copy and paste from a post on X, but I thought it was so good I couldn't really rewrite it and keep it as informative and concise.

I'm also uneasy about the buyback clause, but as long as it would give us a profit, I guess we may have to dance with the devil.

I did see rumours that the buyback would be for a loss, but for me that wouldn't make any sense at all.

23 Jul 2026 16:31:49
Looking like Trafford is close peeps, that would be a real statement!

23 Jul 2026 15:07:56
I see a lot on this so I'm just curious. In a perfect world we land all our reasonable targets for a fair price on day 1 of the window but that isn't possible.

Would people prefer?
A. We sign those preferred targets early in the window but we pay the premium for early business you get the integrstion and pre season under way.



B. You hold out for the fairer terms / calling clubs bluff. You probably end up paying a bit less or get to react to how else the transfer market shakes out (a bit like how we signed Raphinha) but sacrifice the team cohesion it provides in pre season.

23 Jul 2026 15:35:25
The problem that I always see in that scenario is we don't ever seem to get that bargain fee for that strategy.

I shall beat Baz to this (Raph exception) . 🤣🤣🤣

So, if our data models have been doing their thing all Seez, then to me, go get the player that the data said is your man.

23 Jul 2026 15:37:47
Waiting is fine as long as we do get who we want, otherwise, you get past a certain time and the market becomes a seller's one and prices rise.

23 Jul 2026 16:25:21
Get in first and pay the money (if you believe it is fair and affordable within the nonsense fair play pish) .
After the transfer window, nobody gives a hoot as to whether a player came at a good price or whether it was too high, only that we have the players we want and need.

23 Jul 2026 12:52:37
One name that appears in a link to us now and then is Hague at Bodo/Glimt, an inverted winger. Don't see that as a necessity as we're fairly well stocked in that area. However, his team mate Kasper Hogh is a centre forward with a good strike rate and did well in Europe last season.

He's not on a big wage by Premier League standards and would probably not be expensive.

23 Jul 2026 14:33:45
Hopefully. Striker. Goalie. Next. That simple. Could throw in manager, but patience is a virtue.

23 Jul 2026 14:58:22
Lol Aus, Pep is available.

23 Jul 2026 12:36:09
Seems to be a lot more chat re Leeds and James Trafford.

Be amazing if it were to happen, but unfortunately I suspect a) it's just media crap and b) we haven't got the money.

Would love to be wrong on both counts as I think he's a top-drawer keeper who can only get better - gingers crossed but not holding breath!

23 Jul 2026 13:39:41
Agreed, Cleggy.

..and if it's fancifully £50 million for Trafford.. how much left in LUFC transfer kitty for other players?

If you are going to spend big, do it on a quality, proven goalscorer, not on a keeper.

Plenty of good, reliable keepers available for far, far less!

23 Jul 2026 14:09:16
Zetterstrom from Derby - surely worth a punt, Baz?

23 Jul 2026 14:25:19
Apparently Trafford wants a buy out clause inserted in the contract if he signs, according to report on Talksport.

23 Jul 2026 14:29:00
Thing is, Baz, I guess we just don't know if anything that's said is correct, like Trafford's price seems to go up each week; it was 40 not so long ago, even if Citeh are gonna sell. Also, are we investing for the long term in which £40 million for a quality keeper makes sense.

We seem to be linked with so many players, it's pretty much speculation and little fact. Very frustrating waiting for something to happen.

23 Jul 2026 14:35:08
It would appear as though there are some conversations going on between the clubs - too much chatter from too many sources for it to have no substance.

23 Jul 2026 14:44:10
I still think £50m is only a flat fee demand and media hype. We shouldn't be in at that price.

Trafford prefers us because his other main options are limited.

Newcastle just signed a 20m keeper who may not be no.1 this yr, but you'd be wary.

Villa still have Martinez, despite links leaving.

I think a deal Leeds are in at should be £35m.
20% of any future profit to City (unless City themselves buy him back) .

60m release clause.

Realistically, City like him still, and might be back for him in a few years. However, they disrespected him by promising a chance at first team and then buying Donnarumma a few days later.

He possibly, and understandably, holds a grudge over that. Letting him leave for a reasonable fee, and with control over his future, is a good way to show 'we're sorry we wronged you', and please consider us in three or four years when we are ready to move on from Donnarumma.

If City rejected what Trafford's camp viewed as a fair offer from us, which would leave an unhappy player stewing. No one wins, and they'd never get him back if they wanted.

He's our first choice for sure. But there are others.

23 Jul 2026 14:54:11
Agreed, Davey Vid.
And, I, for one, am looking forward to the end of the window.

Here's a crowd-pleaser, and esp for Brighty. 😂

39 days till end of window. Not long left!

Can Leeds United please avoid timewasting, forlorn transfer sagas, please. More speedy Tarek-style deals, less Sc stuff. Cheers.

23 Jul 2026 14:55:10
Good shout, Cleggy, re the Derby keeper.

23 Jul 2026 14:58:15
Great points, Ealing. The good news is that we are now attracting the interest of quality players. I would think we are now viewed as a decent project to be involved in when you look at our trajectory, spades in the ground to build Fortress ER, competing with top-half teams last season, and quality already with us like Stach, Gabby, Bijol and now Muharemovic.

The defence is looking imposing, and with a quality keeper would be awesome. As Baz rightly points out, though, we need quality up top and a playmaker like Pabs. But there is much hope that we can continue our rise. 😁

22 Jul 2026 15:57:43
So by the sounds of things we are/have walked away from Shea Charles.
Question is, who is the 2nd option?

Do we drop Stach back alongside Amps, and get a top number 8/10 rather than a cdm and keep Gruev, Longstaff and Tanaka as cover?

22 Jul 2026 16:06:59
Says on rumours site some Dutch 22 year old.

22 Jul 2026 20:06:02
Plenty of alternatives, don't worry.

22 Jul 2026 20:50:12
Looking like Leeds are hard to do business with?
Apparently a third bid knocked back for SC. Enough bids to piss any selling club off, id say?

22 Jul 2026 22:00:07
Longlostfan, do you know the name?

22 Jul 2026 22:24:08
That might be Kayne Van Oevelen, Dave.

23 Jul 2026 00:06:08
I'm not convinced we need another same same midfielder. The ones we have were adequate last season. It's an am we need.

23 Jul 2026 07:00:30
Kodai Sano.

23 Jul 2026 07:43:26
Japanese.

23 Jul 2026 08:32:57
A number of clubs are looking at him. Nearly went to Hoffenheim but they signed elsewhere. On the market for about EUR20m.

22 Jul 2026 13:11:21
Here's a Baz Predictor Double for you lovely peeps.

1) Leeds are not going to sign a striker this window (and Joel Piroe will see out his final year of his contract) .

And

2) Leeds very regrettably have decided that Lucas Perri will remain as its number 1 gk this seez and will only try to sign a number 2 back up gk (not a number 1) .



Concerning on all fronts.

I hope I am proved wrong, but don't think I will be.

22 Jul 2026 14:42:46
Disagree 1. Possibly 2.
Not ideal in the 2 category unless he grows some balls, he can stop.

22 Jul 2026 14:46:06
Agree, Baz, that Piroe will see out his contract whether we buy another striker or not.
Re keepers, we've been linked with so many but several have already gone elsewhere. The Suzuki interest is treading water and, according to the YEP, the asking price for Trafford is £50m. I don't think either of those are viable as it stands.

22 Jul 2026 14:58:30
I really hope you are right, Aus, about Leeds United signing a striker this summer seez.

..But really dont think this ownership will.

22 Jul 2026 15:01:02
Indeed, Dune, there's as much chance of either you and I signing for LUFC as Leeds United signing Trafford. Never happening.

22 Jul 2026 15:24:43
1. Will we sign a new (additional) striker possibly, but Piroe will see out his contract cos he's unlikely to find a new club willing to pay what he already gets, tho a loan with LU paying a big lump of his salary might be do-able.
2. Perri will be staying, but we will sign a new GK, and which one ends up as No1 or No2 remains to be seen.

Certainly we won't be signing Trafford at £50M, nor will anyone else, but if MC lower their asking price, he may go somewhere else. We could possibly sign him on loan, but any option or obligation to buy would come with a big price tag.

22 Jul 2026 15:48:35
Why don't you go for a hattrick, Baz, and forecast that tomorrow is Thursday!

Piroe has said numerous times that he wishes to stay and fight for his place.

We will not [cannot] sell Perri for now, until we have signed (if we are even planning to) a new keeper, now that Mes and Darlow have gone. Pretty sure had Darlow stayed, Perri would likely have been moved on instead.



I would add, is Perri as bad as everyone makes out? He did well in the cup games. His distribution is questionable, but that has plagued all of our keepers for the last decade.

I'd say there is an equal chance of them both going or both staying, frankly.

22 Jul 2026 15:56:50
Interesting post JR.
For me, the gk and striker situ this window will play a large part in the success of our seez.

22 Jul 2026 16:05:52
Ani, Piroe saying he wishes to 'stay and fight for his place' is polite speak for 'I am seeing out my contract', and Farke never plays him, doesn't rate him at EPL level.

So we need another striker, do we not?

But.. Will Leeds sign another Ani in your esteemed opinion?

As for the keeper situation..we shall see.

22 Jul 2026 19:24:39
Baz, I don't think we will sign another striker. Not that you can ever score enough goals, but in truth, it wasn't a pressing issue last season. We were midtable in that department. I reiterate, we could always score more goals, but imo the club will be focused elsewhere.

The main focus at the moment appears to be reducing player numbers. [and subsequent costs].

22 Jul 2026 20:55:55
Baz, I disagree with your initial post 100%.
The club actually said they would be concentrating on attacking options this pre season.
We'd be totally gambling going into next season with just DCL and Nmecha as Piroe is definitely going elsewhere.

22 Jul 2026 21:18:03
Yes, Corkey, they may well have stated that..

..Harry Wilson is defo a very good start on the attacking front recruitment. Now for a cf, hopefully, but I still wouldn't bet on the Leeds United owners and recruitment dept getting a cf.

23 Jul 2026 10:04:53
As per usual, your predictions will very likely flop, Baz.
I can definitely see an incoming number one keeper, for a starter. Piroe will leave, and no new striker, but possibly a new winger and an attacking midfielder.

23 Jul 2026 11:26:05
As I said, Op, I hope I am wrong. We shall see.

Yet you agree with me that there will be no new incoming striker.

Piroe will leave, you say? Hmm. I think it will be you, Op, who will be flopping, as usual. 😉