Leeds United head to Oxford United on Friday and then host Stoke City on the Monday, with wins in both these games able to see Daniel Farke’s side secure automatic promotion.
Last time out the Whites secured back-to-back wins after beating Preston North End 2-1 at Elland Road, also watching Sheffield United succumb to a third-straight defeat and fall five points behind the automatics.
The Blades now have it all to do. They play Cardiff City on Friday and then Burnley on Monday in a huge game at the top of the Championship table, and one with major ramifications from a Leeds United perspective.
Sheffield United and Burnley’s game will also have a huge say on the chances of Leeds United signing a certain transfer target who could replace Illan Meslier this summer.
Leeds United chances of signing Burnley’s James Trafford could be dead in the water
Leeds United will look for a new no.1 this summer after Farke axed Meslier and replaced him with Karl Darlow for the final few games of the season, with Meslier’s nightmare performance against Swansea City proving to be the final straw. And Leeds have a number of potential replacements lined up.
Recently though, James Trafford has been mentioned. It’s been reported that Leeds United are keeping tabs on Trafford at Burnley who currently leads the Championship for clean sheets this season (an incredible 28 in 41 Championship appearances so far in 2024/25).
But any chance of Leeds United signing the 22-year-old could be dead in the water come Monday, if Burnley go on to seal their return to the Premier League. Sheffield United then could be the unlikely saviours where a deal for Trafford is concerned – per Salary Sport Trafford earns £25k-a-week at Turf Moor.
Leeds United have one other Illan Meslier replacement high on their shortlist
Of course, Farke would take promotion over signing anyone at this stage. And the 49ers might not even view Trafford as the no.10 goalkeeper target right now, but rather Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale has been strongly linked with Leeds United ahead of the summer and he’s free to leave with a £25million release clause, with Southampton having been relegated to the Championship already in April.
The former England international boasts much more Premier League experience than Trafford and links to the likes of Chelsea and even Manchester United show just how good a season Ramsdale has had.
Leeds United’s game against Oxford United kicks off 8pm on Friday night.
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