James McAtee has set himself up for a big summer transfer following his success with England in the U21s Euros this summer. Leeds United are among the teams interested in signing the Man City man.
Leeds United have a horde of players on their summer wishlist. James McAtee though has been on Daniel Farke’s radar since the start of the year.
Back in the January transfer window, Leeds United tried to sign McAtee on loan from Man City. But Pep Guardiola, who rates McAtee very highly, decided to keep him at the Etihad.
Going into this summer it’s been reported that Leeds United remain interested in McAtee, who finally looks set to leave the club ahead of his contract expiring in the summer of 2026.
With the UEFA European U21 Championship wrapped up, and England the champions, it looks like McAtee’s future will soon be decided, and the 22-year-old looks like he’ll have no shortage of interest with teams in Germany lining up for his signature.
Leeds United face German interest in race for James McAtee
An emerging report from The Times has revealed how there are five German teams looking to sign McAtee this summer: RB Leipzig, Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, potentially leaving Leeds United in the dust where a deal for the Salford-born star is concerned.
Not only that, but TeamTalk have added to the matter. They reveal how Man City actually want £30million for McAtee this summer, instead of the previously reported £25million asking price for McAtee. Pep and City think they can get more for McAtee given he was a first-team player last season.
But McAtee only featured 15 times in the Premier League, scoring three goals. In the U21s Euros he played six times, scoring once and grabbing two assists on the way to victory.
What James McAtee has recently said amid Leeds United links
McAtee looks like he’s ready to fly the nest and go get some regular first-team minutes under his belt. He’d no doubt get that at Elland Road, but there’s a growing number of players heading to the Bundesliga and getting top flight exposure.
Speaking just before the Euro U21s final, McAtee said he had no regret about his decision to remove himself from Club World Cup contention and go play in the U21 Euros. He said: “I don’t regret my decision at all. I’m happy I’m here and my focus is here and not on the Club World Cup.”
His comments certainly suggest some unrest at Man City, and with transfer links immediately heating up following the conclusion of the tournament, it looks like McAtee is nailed on to leave the club this summer, likely some time in July.
For Leeds United; interest is there and it has been for a long time, but it could come down to money, and also the chance for McAtee to play top flight and European football over in Germany.
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