We all know the success of Cole Palmer of Chelsea. We also know the frustration of Manchester City who let him go. Could Leeds United be about to deal City another Palmer-type transfer blow?
Leeds United look set to sign Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United after a bit of back and forth with the Magpies over the transfer fee.
It’s reported that Leeds are paying £15million for Longstaff who is poised to become the fifth player to arrive at Elland Road this summer, after Lukas Nmecha, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
And there’s still plenty more expected to arrive at Thorp Arch before the summer transfer window closes on September 1st, with Daniel Farke certainly in need of some new bodies to gear his side up for their return to the Premier League.
Specifically, a no.10 looks like a priority. And yet more specifically, James McAtee is someone who Leeds have liked for some time.
James McAtee holding match ball after Manchester City beat Salford City.
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
The latest on James McAtee amid Leeds United transfer interest
Leeds United were linked with McAtee back in January, where the Whites tried to sign him on loan. But a deal for the 22-year-old, whilst a Championship side, never seemed like for Leeds, whose interest in the Salford-born midfielder has remained going into this summer’s transfer window.
Recent reports revealed how Nottingham Forest were poised to bid for McAtee, who’s valued at £25million. But The Athletic say that ‘no official bids have been received’ as of yet. Interestingly, they also write that ‘the price could also vary depending on how close a competitor they are with City’.
The same report also mentioned that Man City ‘are acutely aware of the case of Cole Palmer’ and keen to avoid another repeat with McAtee, meaning Pep Guardiola’s side ‘are keen to secure a fee they view as comparable with his profile’. Previous reports have described McAtee as ‘the next Cole Palmer’.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke clapping after a Championship game against Portsmouth.
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Why Leeds United’s hopes of signing James McAtee may be over
There are plenty of options for both Man City and McAtee this summer. So many options in fact, that City could let him pick where he wants to go next.
There are several Bundesliga clubs interested in signing McAtee with Eintracht Frankfurt thought to be closely monitoring the England U21s man.
So £25million seems like the minimum fee City will settle for, but that could be more if a Premier League competitor comes in for him, per The Athletic’s report.
With interest from the top end of the Premier League and the Bundesliga then, it may all but rule Leeds United out of what was always an ambitious transfer pursuit.
But there remains other options for Farke who could prove just as impactful next season, in names like Emi Buendia and Gustavo Hamer, who could also cost significantly less than McAtee too.