Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has expressed his frustration about the state of his squad ahead of the start of their Premier League season. With just a week left for their opening game against Everton, the Whites boss is not too happy with his team.
The Whites focused on deepening and strengthening their defensive and midfield resources at the start of the window, which has led to the situation where Leeds do not have a starting eleven-quality striker in their squad before the start of the new season in the Premier League next Monday.
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Farke has been vocal about the lack of attacking reinforcements and feels that without the necessary signings before the end of the window, the Leeds squad are not ready for the hard grind of a long Premier League season.
Leeds are looking to bring in a striker, a winger and a versatile attacking midfielder. However, the club are now on the cusp of watching one of their top targets join one of their Premier League rivals for a relatively decent fee this summer.
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Leeds United target James McAtee set to join Nottingham Forest
Manchester City star James McAtee has been on Leeds’ radar all summer, and the club have been exploring the possibility of signing him.
However, the Whites dithered due to Manchester City’s stance of wanting somewhere between £35m and £40m before agreeing to sell the England Under-21 star.
But it seems that the public stance was a ruse, as according to Fabrizio Romano, Forest are in advanced negotiations with Manchester City to sign McAtee.
The attacking midfielder has given his consent to the move, and the two clubs are now finalising a deal worth just over £20m for the player to move to the City Ground.
Forest pushed hard during the negotiations, and once McAtee agreed to the move, City decided to drop their asking price and facilitate the potential transfer.
The attacking midfielder won the Under-21 European Championship with England in the summer and is on the cusp of a big move to Forest.
Adam Underwood will come under pressure
Leeds’ sporting director, Adam Underwood, earned praise for the early work done this summer on improving the team’s defence and midfield.
However, the lack of signings in the final third has frustrated Farke, and the pressure is now on the deal maker to get a few moves over the line.
But there are questions to be asked if Forest are getting McAtee for £20m. Why Leeds didn’t make a move for him, given Farke’s interest in adding an attacking midfielder?
The Manchester City star would have elevated the squad and would have been a huge upgrade on Brenden Aaronson.
Even if Leeds end up signing Bilal El Khannouss, they would be paying more than Forest are forking out for McAtee, who is a better player.
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