Leeds United may have thought Emi Buendia being snatched by Bayer Leverkusen was bad but another of Daniel Farke’s targets is being mooted.
The 49ers are playing it safe this January as the Leeds owners want to save their budget in a plan that could benefit the Whites in the next transfer window.
It could turn out to pay off, or completely fail, but Leeds will now be seeing their transfer targets be taken from their grasp.
One of which is Emi Buendia who has interest from Bayer Leverkusen as a reunion for Farke with the Argentine is now looking unlikely.
The Bundesliga side are proving to be a nuisance to Leeds as another of their targets is being sought after.
Bayer Leverkusen make an ‘approach’ for Leeds United target James McAtee
If Buendia’s move to Leeds United being halted wasn’t bad enough, James McAtee has now emerged on Leverkusen’s radar.
McAtee has been a Leeds target for a while but a deal has never come to fruition this January.
It was perceived that McAtee joining Leeds is ‘unlikely’ and since then their pursuit of the 22-year-old has gone quiet.
The report from Fabrizio Romano that emerged has landed another blow to the Whites’ failure in this transfer window.
Romano has said, Bayer Leverkusen have approached Man City to sign McAtee with a loan plus option to buy.
Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has been labelled as a ‘huge fan’ of McAtee as he’s been put as the ‘1st choice’ in terms of replacing the injured Martin Terrier.
City and Pep Guardiola are reluctant to let him go as the feeling is he can become a regular starter.
With McAtee as Leverkusen’s no.1 choice Leeds can fight for Buendia
McAtee never seemed like a likely prospect at Leeds, but Buendia’s move to Elland Road could still happen.
Despite Buendia extending his stay at Aston Villa, there is no reason why Leeds shouldn’t continue a move for the Argentine with this latest update.
A loan will be the only option now after the 28-year-old extended his stay at Villa Park, but Buendia may not want the competition with McAtee.
The only disadvantage for Leeds is that Guardiola doesn’t see McAtee leaving City as reported by Romano, which is a factor Farke will be hoping goes his way.
With Leeds seemingly down and out in this transfer saga, there may still be life in their pursuit of Buendia yet.
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