Newcastle United and Aston Villa had both held an interest in Trafford earlier this summer, though Villa are now expected to retain Emi Martinez as their first-choice goalkeeper, leaving Leeds United as the more likely destination.
The Whites are seeking a new goalkeeper after both Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier left Elland Road this summer, with Lucas Perri and Alex Cairns the only senior options currently remaining on the books. Perri lost his place to Darlow during the second half of last season and did not feature in the Premier League again following a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle on 7 January.
Trafford was part of England's World Cup squad this summer, though he did not play, and made 17 appearances for Manchester City last season - four of them in the Premier League - helping the club win both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. He began his career at City before loan spells with Accrington and Bolton, then left for Burnley in 2023, where he made 73 appearances and established himself as one of the country's most promising young goalkeepers. City triggered a buy-back option to bring him back to the Etihad last summer for a fee of £27million plus add-ons.
His playing time at City has since been restricted by the arrival of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain in September, a signing that pushed Trafford down the pecking order despite his standing as one of England's brightest young shot-stoppers.
A move to Leeds would offer him the regular first-team football he has been missing, while giving the newly-promoted side a proven, high-ceiling option between the posts as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.
Leeds' need for a settled goalkeeping situation has become increasingly pressing following the departures of both Darlow and Meslier, leaving manager Daniel Farke short of senior options he can fully trust.
Trafford's return to regular first-team football would also represent a significant show of ambition from Leeds, who would likely need to pay a substantial fee to prise him away from City given the size of the buy-back clause the club exercised to bring him back to the Etihad just twelve months ago.