Given the growing interest in the attacking midfielder, Leeds United will likely have to fight hard to win the race for James McAtee.
Teams from England, Germany, and Italy have all expressed interest in signing McAtee, who is reportedly unhappy with his lack of playing time at the Etihad Stadium, according to the Telegraph.
Daniel Farke appears eager to bolster his attacking midfield department, and Leeds is one team rumoured to be interested in signing the City player.
Even though Brenden Aaronson returned to Elland Road after his loan stint at Union Berlin ended, the Whites might still want to make a move for the gifted 22-year-old after Georginio Rutter left.
McAtee has demonstrated his ability to excel in the Championship in the past. During the 2022–2023 season, he made a loan move to Sheffield United and flourished at Bramall Lane, helping the Blades earn a return to the Premier League.
| James McAtee’s 2022/23 season at Sheffield United | |
|---|---|
| (Championship games only) | |
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 3 |
In light of this, Leeds would gain a great deal from signing him, but they face competitive pressure.
Interest increasing in James McAtee amid Leeds United links
The player is currently attracting a lot of interest; Brentford, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham United are all rumoured to be interested in him.
In the wake of Michael Olise’s summer departure, Palace might still be searching for additional inventiveness.
A transfer to Selhurst Park would be appealing to him because he might have the chance to excel there.
However, given that the Reds are really ahead of City in the table, Forest might not be the place he ends up.
Depending on City’s position, a transfer to the City Ground might or might not be feasible given Nuno’s team’s current success.
According to the Telegraph, these teams might provide the 22-year-old the chance to stay in England, but he might potentially choose to relocate elsewhere.
Additionally rumoured to be interested are Italian teams Fiorentina and Bologna, as well as German teams Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig. These teams might provide McAtee with an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The midfield player is apparently eager to get more playing time and would prefer to leave City during the January transfer window in order to gain more first-team appearances, but it’s unclear if he will have the opportunity to do so because Pep Guardiola’s club wants to keep him.
This is in spite of the fact that he hasn’t played a lot this season.
Leeds United may have to line up James McAtee alternatives
Leeds is a desirable team to join.
A winter transfer might not be feasible, though, since McAtee will undoubtedly want to stay in the top division.
Given that City is presently in the running for promotion, the Whites may be expecting that they will hold onto him for the rest of the season before deciding to let him go in the summer.
Leeds may wish to make short-term changes to their attacking midfield area because, even in that case, there are no assurances that they will win the race.
It would make sense for the promotion chasers to set up some alternate targets in light of this.
