The need for a no.10 at Leeds United is growing as the Premier League opener against Everton gets closer and closer, but one option now feels unlikely as he jets off to Germany.
Brenden Aaronson remains the club’s starting option and only option when it comes to the 10 role. The American was largely underwhelming last season, for a player who once set Leeds back a huge £25m.
There is a theory that Aaronson could be better-suited to the Premier League but he struggled to prove that case in 2022-23 when first signed. Larry Nance Jr thinks Aaronson is somewhat underrated.
But Leeds do need better and have been linked with plenty of attacking midfielders. Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News he thinks it will be Emi Buendia or Gus Hamer, while Neil El Aynaoui is a target.
Elsewhere, Olympiacos’ Turkey star Yusuf Yazici has emerged as a target. But now, a long-term target for the 10 role at Leeds could end up joining Rasmus Kristensen and Robin Koch’s Eintracht Frankfurt.
Rasmus Kristensen in action for Frankfurt.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
James McAtee flying to Germany to discuss Frankfurt move
Not only is McAtee being linked with Leeds this summer, but the England U21 skipper was a target for Leeds last summer. Angus Kinnear said Man City blocked a move for McAtee to remain at The Etihad.
But a lack of game time means McAtee is now set for a move. TeamTalk say City are willing to sell the playmaker for a £25m fee and a plethora of European clubs want to sign the City academy product.
Clubs in Spain and Italy are keen, while a handful of Premier League sides like Everton, Forest and Palace are mentioned. But TeamTalk say McAtee is flying to Germany to sound out a move to Frankfurt.
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Frankfurt have money to spend and Leeds need to save
Ironically, some of Frankfurt’s cash has ended up in Leeds’ coffers this summer, with Kristensen signing permanently for Frankfurt to the tune of £7.7m after an excellent loan spell in Germany during 24-25.
Frankfurt have sold Omar Marmoush to City and Willian Pacho to PSG in the past 12 months. Striker Hugo Ekitike could also leave for a huge fee and any cash Leeds could offer would be blown out of the water.
Frankfurt also have Champions League football to offer McAtee and that could be the determining factor that sees Kristensen and Koch team up with the playmaker, over the other clubs currently interested.