One of Leeds United’s priorities this summer will be to bring in a Premier League-quality no.10 after Brenden Aaronson struggled to show why The Whites spent £25m, even in the Championship.
Aaronson returned to Leeds under a cloud last summer after being one of the eight players to use the relegation loan clause inserted into contracts by Victor Orta. An exercise criticised by Daniel Farke.
The USA star started 44 of 46 Championship games for Leeds and was entrusted in the starting XI by Farke because of his energy and stamina, allowing him to play two roles – up front and as a midfielder.
But his 11 goals and assists in England’s second tier is simply not good enough and Leeds need to bring in a better 10 to unlock the door in the Premier League. One option is Manchester City’s James McAtee.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest steal march on Leeds in James McAtee race
It emerged this week that Leeds are looking at Man City player McAtee once again. The £25m-rated ace has been given more games, but City are ‘open to offers’ for McAtee after his showing on the weekend.
McAtee was a target for Leeds last summer but Angus Kinnear says City rejected any chance of McAtee leaving for Leeds. Indeed, Pep Guardiola made it clear he wanted to keep the England U21 international.
Now, he could leave City but TeamTalk writer James Marshment has an update. On Wednesday, he put on X that Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest are leading the race for McAtee with Europe beckoning.
He reported: “Nottingham Forest set to make a firm move to sign James McAtee from Man City and are currently ahead of Leeds United in the transfer race, sources have told TeamTalk.”
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What Micah Richards once said about Leeds target McAtee
Richards, who has a soft spot for Leeds having grown up in the Yorkshire area, is a big fan of his old club’s young attacker. Compared to David Silva due to his small stature and technical ability, Richards likes him.
Speaking after McAtee had scored a gorgeous curling goal for Sheffield United during a loan spell in the Premier League, Richards told The Rest Is Football that his goal was “exceptional” and is both-footed.
“The way he moves, the guile on him, you can tell he’s been brought up the correct way, can’t we? Always looking to get on the ball, lovely, both-footed but his strike was exceptional,” Richards said on McAtee.
There is no doubt that McAtee would be a super signing for Leeds, not only for now but in the future. However, with the likes of Forest and Tottenham interested, it seems Leeds are fighting a losing battle.