Leeds United are reportedly interested in the Manchester City star but competition will be fierce.
Leeds United have been dealt a fresh blow in their reported pursuit of James McAtee who has been the subject of ‘several enquiries’ from the Bundesliga, according to reports.
McAtee was a known target for Leeds last summer with former CEO Angus Kinnear naming him alongside the likes of Emi Buendia and Fabio Carvalho as possible targets to fill the No.10 position. In the end, no one was brought in and Daniel Farke leaned heavily on the returning Brenden Aaronson, but added quality in that role is expected to be a priority again this summer.
The report linking McAtee with a possible move to Elland Road also named the likes of Nottingham Forest and West Ham United as possible rivals, while Bayer Leverkusen are long-term admirers. And now Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports on growing interest from the Bundesliga.
James McAtee latest amid Leeds United transfer links
In a post on X, Plettenberg claimed McAtee had received ‘several enquiries’ from the German top-flight, naming Leverkusen as a club who are ‘still keen’. The 2023/24 Bundesliga champions must first appoint a new head coach before making any transfer moves, however, with current boss Xabi Alonso set to join Real Madrid.
But there is also likely to be a huge No.10-shaped hole in the Leverkusen squad, with academy star Florian Wirtz widely expected to leave. McAtee’s current club City have recently pulled out of talks but a move to either Bayern Munich or Liverpool remains on the cards, with reports suggesting the 22-year-old German international could cost a whopping £126million.
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That could open the door for Leverkusen to intensify their pursuit of McAtee but it appears they are not the only Bundesliga side weighing up a move for the City prospect. And Plettenberg adds a number of Premier League clubs are also monitoring the situation, although no names are mentioned.
'Award winning South Indian Restaurants proud to carry Leeds United in our hearts'.'Award winning South Indian Restaurants proud to carry Leeds United in our hearts'.
'Award winning South Indian Restaurants proud to carry Leeds United in our hearts'. | 'Award winning South Indian Restaurants proud to carry Leeds United in our hearts'.
For McAtee, the priority will surely be regular football given he has started just three Premier League games all season. The attacking midfielder’s only notable influence came in the FA Cup but he was benched for the quarter-final, suspended for the semi and left out of the squad entirely for last weekend’s 1-0 final defeat against Crystal Palace.
McAtee was then left out again for City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday evening and may well have played his last game for the club. It remains to be seen if Leeds do move for the No.10 but there will be no shortage of competition.
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