Leeds United are weighing up a number of attacking midfielders prior to the transfer deadline in just three weeks.
One option for Leeds United is Bilal El Khannouss, but he is not the only plate they are spinning currently in search of an extra body in midfield as a playmaker alongside their taller and more intense options in deeper areas.
Another player in this area of the pitch is the versatile James McAtee, who has been on Leeds’ radar for over a year, with the Man City playmaker stalling over a new deal and one of the options for the 49ers this summer as a No.10 profile.
Leeds need a differential player and McAtee is valued at £25 million and able to operate as a central midfielder or winger. The reality is that McAtee would be a real statement signing for Leeds as a creative midfielder with plenty of potential and scope to develop further.
James McAtee has a big smile on his face while playing for Manchester City against Leicester City.
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Leeds target James McAtee set for Nottingham Forest move
El Khannouss is now of serious interest to Newcastle United and he is not the only midfielder of that profile in more advanced areas which Leeds are having difficulty securing.
McAtee has interest from numerous Bundesliga sides, but the reality is much worse than that regarding competition for his signature. McAtee has interest from 20 clubs in Europe, according to some reports.
That said, McAtee’s defiant comments offered Leeds hope at one stage of potentially landing him, with the Man City academy product keen to get out and play regularly as he did when at Sheffield United on two separate loan stints.
Team Appearances Goals Assists
Man City 34 7 0
Sheffield United 75 14 8
England U-21 24 8 6
James McAtee’s career stats (all comps)
The 22-year-old, however, is headed elsewhere in the Premier League. That’s because Nottingham Forest have stepped up efforts regarding McAtee and raced ahead of Leeds and the competition.
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
🚨🌳 EXCLUSIVE: Nottingham Forest are closing in on James McAtee deal with Manchester City!
Agreement at the final stages for fee in excess of £20m, #NFFC confident to get it done… here we go, expected soon. pic.twitter.com/f2IaMqPHJF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2025
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Fabrizio Romano reveals that Nottingham Forest are closing in on McAtee deal with Manchester City. The agreement is at the final stages for a fee said to be “in excess of £20 million”.
🚨🌳 More on James McAtee and Forest exclusive story: personal terms are also fully agreed.
McAtee wants #NFFC despite several requests and the clubs are at final stages of negotiations.
Here we go, expected soon. 🔜 pic.twitter.com/f0Qw778m4r
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 11, 2025
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Romano adds personal terms are also fully agreed. McAtee wants to move to Forest despite several requests from elsewhere and the clubs are now at final stages of negotiations.
Newcastle United FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
Photo by Aston Villa/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Where Leeds might turn if they miss out on McAtee and El Khannouss
Leeds evidently have numerous plates being spun regarding attacking midfield profiles up to the deadline, with Christantus Uche one such option for Leeds if they want a more powerful and combative player higher up in midfield.
Links to El Khannouss and Uche have emerged in recent days, but they are very different profiles of attacking midfielder. Leeds would then need a playmaker out wide if they went that direction instead.
Another playmaker type who can feature centrally or out wide is Emi Buendia. Aston Villa’s Buendia is a consideration alongside Gus Hamer.
In terms of a different profile and someone who can unpick a lock, they are the most logical. However, it does not appear that either is top of Leeds’ long attacking midfielder shortlist.
Either way, Leeds need some difference-makers at the top of the pitch if they are to survive relegation back to the Championship.