Leeds United
Trafford poised for Leeds move in major goalkeeping deal
Leeds have agreed a $53 million deal for Trafford, a record fee for a British goalkeeper.
Manchester City have reportedly settled terms on the sale of James Trafford, with Leeds United agreeing a package worth $53 million (£40 million) plus bonuses. If completed, the transfer would make Trafford the most expensive British goalkeeper in history.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that Leeds have reached an agreement for the England international, who is now expected to move to the Yorkshire club. Newcastle United were also in the picture and had been viewed as Trafford’s preferred option, but they withdrew from the chase and left Leeds clear to move.
The switch would arrive almost exactly a year after Trafford first became England’s most valuable goalkeeper by surpassing Jordan Pickford’s mark. It would also see him go beyond his own previous record.
Trafford’s City spell was shaped by the arrival of Donnarumma, who joined for a cut-price $35 million and kept the starting role. Trafford was restricted to domestic cup appearances, although he still played an important part in City’s FA Cup and Carabao Cup double. His standout moment came in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, when he produced a remarkable triple save early on to keep the game level.
With Donnarumma in place, a summer exit always looked likely for Trafford, and Leeds have now emerged as the club set to benefit. Daniel Farke’s side avoided relegation last season and did so with relative comfort after moving to a back three midway through the campaign. They are now focused on consolidation, and Trafford would be a significant addition.
Karl Darlow has already left this summer, while Lucas Perri remains on the depth chart. Even so, Perri was overtaken by Darlow last season and has not convinced Farke he can become Leeds’ No. 1. Trafford would likely take that role immediately.
The 23-year-old travelled to the World Cup with the Three Lions and is widely seen as England’s goalkeeper of the future. Once the deal is finalised, he will rank as the fifth most expensive goalkeeper in soccer history.
Leeds United
Why a Dominic Calvert-Lewin move for Manchester United would turn heads
Manchester United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin links raise history, need and serious footballing questions.
Manchester United are being linked with a move for Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and the suggestion alone is enough to prompt questions. Even with the restraints of the January window and a tight budget, United have other attacking options to weigh up. Yet the possibility of taking Leeds’ No. 9 is the one that stands out for all the wrong and right reasons.
The Athletic report that Calvert-Lewin is under consideration in Manchester. A direct move from Leeds to United remains highly unusual, with the club last paying money for a player directly from Leeds when Alan Smith made that divisive switch in 2004. This would be another transfer loaded with history.
From a footballing perspective, there is an obvious case to be made. United need goals, with newly promoted Ipswich Town having outscored them in the Premier League this season, and they also need a central reference point in attack. Calvert-Lewin has 17 Premier League goals since the start of last season, a return no United player can better.
Bryan Mbeumo can threaten through the middle, particularly in a counter-attacking set-up, but he does not provide the same focal point as a natural striker such as Šeško, or Calvert-Lewin. Leeds’ forward also offers a strong aerial presence and gives his side a reliable outlet.
United already put plenty of crosses into the box, but without Šeško on the pitch there is often nobody to meet them, especially since Casemiro’s summer exit. Calvert-Lewin would change that immediately.
“Dominic is like a good wine, getting better by the year,” Leeds boss Daniel Farke gushed just last month. “Physically, he’s on a top level and his pace is more than good enough I would say.”
But the fit is not straightforward. Farke’s claim that Calvert-Lewin is “a very complete striker,” is harder to support. His game is highly specific, suited to Leeds’ approach, where he can poach in the box or attack a ball played through the air. He is less likely to bring others into play.
No outfield player with more than one Premier League start this season has a lower pass completion rate than Calvert-Lewin. That may be a compromise United would accept, but convincing Leeds would be another matter entirely. The Athletic describe them as “fiercely protective” of their top scorer and rate any deal as “remote.”
It would also place Calvert-Lewin among a very small group of players to cross this rivalry. In the Premier League era, only three outfielders have gone from Elland Road to Old Trafford. United’s interest is all the more striking because Calvert-Lewin was available on a free transfer just over a year ago, when the club instead chose to spend up to £73.7 million ($99 million) on Šeško while keeping Zirkzee.
Arsenal
Villa’s Win Over City Triggers Another Opta Refresh
Villa beat City, Arsenal stay close, and Opta updates the title, Europe and relegation outlooks.
Aston Villa have delivered the Premier League’s first defeat of Manchester City this season, and they are also the first side to take points from them. Unai Emery’s team earned that landmark result at Villa Park, where City were below their best and paid for it. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marc Guéhi were both singled out for especially poor showings, Nicolas Jackson struck on loan to make the difference, and Zion Suzuki contributed six saves across the 90 minutes.
City remain top of the current Premier League standings, but the performance offered the first domestic indication that they are not untouchable. Arsenal followed by matching them on points after beating Everton, leaving the title race level at the summit and Arsenal second only on goal difference.
That Arsenal victory came with Bukayo Saka unavailable and possibly out until Christmas. The Gunners were short of natural creativity, but they compensated by rediscovering the set-piece strength that served them so well last season.
With those results, and two others on Saturday, Opta’s supercomputer updated its predictions again.
The title model now has Arsenal first with 79.55 predicted points and a 53.82% chance of finishing champions. Manchester City are second on 76.11 points and 34.39%. Brighton remain the only other side above 5%, while Liverpool are at 3.29% and Chelsea at 1.42%.
The Champions League outlook keeps Arsenal and City well clear, with both above 90% to qualify. Brighton stand at 58.37%, Liverpool at 46.70%, Chelsea at 31.28% and Aston Villa at 21.66%. Brentford, Leeds and Everton are further back, and Manchester United’s five-match winless run has left them below 6%.
At the lower end, Tottenham have made a notable move in the right direction. Two wins in a row have cut their relegation chance to 14%, and the model now projects them to finish 13th. That is not especially strong, but it is a considerable improvement on consecutive 17th-place finishes in the last two seasons.
Aston Villa
Premier League Gameweek 8 calls: Chelsea host Spurs as Liverpool face Brighton
Chelsea host Spurs as Liverpool meet Brighton in a weekend of tight Premier League predictions.
The Premier League returns after another midweek round of continental action involving nine English clubs, and Gameweek 8 arrives with little room for recovery. Several of the league’s biggest sides are back in action quickly, while a number of awkward fixtures could shape the standings before the weekend is over.
Friday’s opener at Portman Road looks finely balanced. Ipswich Town have collected nine points from seven matches and have taken two-thirds of that tally at home, with wins over Sunderland and Fulham lifting them to 10th. Nottingham Forest, however, arrive with their own issues, and goals have been difficult to come by for the Tricky Trees. A draw feels the likeliest outcome.
Aston Villa’s meeting with Man City is one of the standout fixtures on Saturday. Villa have won five of their last six, while City have maintained a perfect Premier League run, though their domestic record remains surrounded by uncertainty off the pitch. Even so, their form under Pep Guardiola has been efficient, and with Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden in encouraging touch, they are tipped to edge it.
Arsenal are expected to keep pace at the top with a home win over Everton. The Gunners remain defensively solid, even if their attack will be without Bukayo Saka, while Everton are likely to sit deep and counter through Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish.
Chelsea’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur closes Saturday and the home side look strong favourites. Spurs have won only once at Stamford Bridge in 25 years, while Chelsea have scored 17 goals in seven matches under Xabi Alonso. João Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have all been in form.
Elsewhere, Liverpool’s meeting with Brighton has the feel of a high-scoring draw, Man Utd are predicted to share the points with Bournemouth, and Sunderland’s test against Leeds United could be decided by fatigue after their trip to Poland.
