James Trafford’s second stint at Manchester City appears set to be a short one. After making only four Premier League appearances, the former Burnley goalkeeper is on his way out of the Etihad Stadium.

Man City brought Trafford back to the club from the Clarets last summer, but then quickly moved to sign Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.

The Azzurri captain played the other 34 league games last season, and the 23-year-old Trafford’s hope that he was returning to Manchester as Pep Guardiola’s first-choice keeper soon faded.

According to The Athletic, Newcastle United had earlier viewed Trafford as their top target to replace Nick Pope, but they are now ‘no longer considering a move’ for the England goalkeeper. Instead, they are looking at other options, with those said to include Brighton & Hove Albion’s former Coventry City loan player Carl Rushworth and Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, while they also moved to bring in French U21 goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims in early June.

Premier League rivals Leeds United are now closing in on Trafford. They are in the market for a goalkeeper after Karl Darlow’s move to Manchester United, although that move was likely influenced in part by Leeds’ plan to sign a new No.1 anyway.

As discussions continue between Leeds and Man City, Daniel Farke can be confident that Trafford will be convinced Elland Road is the right place for him. Trafford’s wish for regular first-team football and an opening at international level are aims Leeds can help him achieve.

“It is no secret Trafford wants to play far more regularly than he did with City last season and he would be the clear No.1 at Elland Road,” reports Leeds correspondent Beren Cross.

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“The West Yorkshire side will also point to the platform they gave Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Anton Stach in helping them return to their national teams.

“Leeds will be hoping Trafford can become their long-term answer between the posts. Illan Meslier has finally departed after a long decline in his Elland Road career.

“Lucas Perri had a tough first season in England. Meanwhile, Karl Darlow has left, but even if he had stayed, it is unlikely he would have been No.1 in the coming campaign.”

If the transfer goes through, Trafford will not return to the Etihad Stadium until Leeds travel to Man City for the Premier League match in December.

Even though he found league minutes hard to come by, featuring only in the first three matches and then the last one against Aston Villa, Trafford was ever-present in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. City won both trophies while conceding only five goals across their 12 ties. Trafford kept clean sheets in both Wembley finals.

The Cumbrian goalkeeper joined City’s youth set-up from Carlisle United in 2015 and made his name at Burnley after loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers. He played 28 times for the Turf Moor club in his first Premier League season.