Leeds United are reportedly keen on signing Manchester City starlet James McAtee this summer.
According to The Athletic, Leeds United are eager to sign Manchester City’s 19-year-old wonderkid James McAtee this summer on loan or a permanent deal. The Whites could demand the youngster be included in Manchester City’s move for English midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
A Manchester City academy product, McAtee is yet to make a senior appearance for the club. But the management wants to keep the 19-year-old around the first team for the upcoming season before promoting him full-time. McAtee showed fine form for Manchester City’s under-23 side this past season, scoring 18 times and assisting seven goals in Premier League 2.
Leeds United have been quite impressed with the youngster’s performances in the Under-23 league and are eager to bring him to Elland Road this summer. They are open to the possibility of both a loan and a permanent deal and might want Manchester City to add him as a makeweight in their move for Phillips.
Though Manchester City are reluctant to include the 19-year-old wonderkid in any potential deal, they could be forced to accept Leeds’s demands if their move for Phillips is stalled for longer than they are hoping for.
Manchester City are in the market for a central midfield signing after losing Fernandinho this summer. The Brazilian brought an end to a glorious nine-year stay with the Cityzens and left as a club legend. But Pep Guardiola is now left to look for an able replacement for Fernandinho, who played a very important role in the Catalan manager’s system.
The Premier League champions have identified 26-year-old Phillips as a potential replacement and are growing confident about completing a deal for him. The English midfielder is also keen on joining Manchester City, who are yet to agree on a transfer fee with Leeds.
Another report claims that Leeds have asked Manchester City to pay around €70 million for the English international, who played an important part in Gareth Southgate’s side’s run to the final of the UEFA Euro 2020 last year. Phillips had an injury-affected 2021/22 season, but his stock did not suffer, with Manchester United also said to be interested in him. But it will be interesting to see if Leeds can sign McAtee this summer.
