Would Leeds move help Trafford oust Pickford from England team?

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, James Trafford made 17 appearances for Manchester City last season By Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist Published 14 minutes ago Since the 2018 World Cup, Jordan Pickford has been a fixture in the England team. He has kept 44 clean sheets in his 91 caps and has made 33 major tournament appearances, including two European Championship finals. But the Everton goalkeeper will be 34 by the time Euro 2028 begins - so it is only natural for thoughts to turn to who could take over from him. The other goalkeepers in England's World Cup squad were Nottingham Forest 's Dean Henderson - who was probably regarded as Pickford's understudy as he played in the third-place play-off - and James Trafford of Manchester City . Trafford is closing in on a £40m move to Leeds United that would make the 23-year-old one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history - only Kepa Arrizabalaga (£68m), Alisson (£62m) and Andre Onana (£43m) have cost more. This latest big-money move and likely starting place at a high-profile club will bring Trafford's ability at the top level regular exposure. The reported £40m fee is one Daniel Farke appears happy to pay despite Trafford's limited game time at Manchester City last season - 17 appearances in all competitions, but only four in the Premier League. Leeds would be paying for the high ceiling of a young goalkeeper whose highlights came in the Championship with Burnley when he conceded only 16 goals in 45 matches. Lauded as "world class" by his then manager Scott Parker, Trafford's 29 clean sheets and 84.47% save ratio were integral to the Claret's promotion to the Premier League in 2024-25. £82m in fees, 32 Premier League games Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Trafford graduated through Manchester City's academy Trafford, though, is yet to fully establish his reputation at the highest level of club football. The son of a farming family from Cockermouth in Cumbria, Trafford came through City's academy before joining Burnley for an initial fee of £15m in the summer of 2023. However, he conceded 67 goals in only 28 matches before losing his place towards the end of the 2023-24 season. After starring in Burnley's successful promotion in 2024-25, Trafford returned to City for £27m last summer with the hope of being Pep Guardiola's number one. Instead, City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain just four weeks after Trafford's arrival and he became second choice - a scenario that has prompted his move to Elland Road. If the move goes through it will mean £82m has been spent on Trafford in initial transfer fees since joining Burnley three years ago. He has only played 32 top-flight games in total, but former Clarets boss Parker previously praised his turnaround at Turf Moor before moving to Etihad Stadium. "There's no denying at the beginning of the 2024-25 season, there was a lot of work to do with 'Traff'," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire last April. "He needed to