Daniel Farke and Leeds United look set to face their share of hardship in the transfer market this summer, now being a Premier League team.
Last season in the Championship, Leeds United arguably had the pick of the bunch, being the biggest and the best team in the Football League. Now a Premier League team, they’re at the bottom of the pile, and seemingly last in line to sign the best Premier League players.
So far this summer, Leeds United have been linked with a number of players. But we’re seeing a lot of Leeds’ reported transfer targets being linked with other clubs, oftentimes with so-called bigger clubs in England and overseas.
Leeds United have £100million to spend on new players this summer which isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things, especially considering the fact that Daniel Farke looks like he might have to sign 10 or more new players this summer to give his side the depth and quality needed.
A chunk of that money could yet be spent on James McAtee, who’s been a target for Leeds United throughout 2025.
Report shares the scale of interest in Leeds United transfer target James McAtee
McAtee, 22, looks set to leave Man City this summer, having really struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s starting XI during the 2024/25 season where he made 15 Premier League appearances, scoring three. Leeds United are interested in signing McAtee this summer after trying to sign the £25million-rated player in the January transfer window.
As ever, Leeds are not alone in this transfer pursuit. Multiple teams have so far been linked with a move for McAtee, but an emerging report from The Athletic has now revealed that as many as 20 teams have asked about signing the Salford-born midfielder this summer.
The same report was detailing West Ham’s interest in signing McAtee. But for Leeds, learning that 20 or more teams are vying to sign McAtee this summer will be overwhelming, and it could quickly prompt Farke to look elsewhere for a new attacking midfielder.
Pep Guardiola’s ultimatum gives Leeds United hope in James McAtee race
Not only is there Premier League interest, but it’s also been reported that several Bundesliga clubs want to sign McAtee this summer, with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen interested in a move.
There’s a whole lot of options for McAtee then. But Leeds United remain in the race and they could offer him unlimited game time in the Premier League next season, which could prove a more attractive option than most for McAtee.
Either way, he looks set to leave Man City this summer. Speaking recently, Guardiola threatened to quit Man City unless players are sold, saying: “I said to the club I don’t want that [a bigger squad]. I don’t want to leave five or six players in the freezer. I don’t want that. I will quit. Make a shorter squad, I will stay. It’s impossible for my soul to [tell] my players in the tribune [stands] that they cannot play.”
With McAtee inevitably set to be sold, there’ll always be a glimmer of hope that Leeds United can sign him. But winning the race will prove to be a marathon.
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