Leeds United are looking to buck a trend in the Premier League this season and avoid relegation in their first season back in the top flight. The last six teams to get promoted have all gone straight back down, but after a strong season in 2024/25 and plenty of new signings, the Whites could rewrite the narrative.
Indeed, Daniel Farke’s side have already signed seven new players. They have added more Premier League experience to their squad in the form of Sean Longstaff, as well as defensive reinforcements by signing three defenders, including Jaka Bijol.
However, Leeds are not done yet, and seem keen to strengthen the squad further ahead of a huge campaign, with another top-flight star linked with a move.
Leeds’ next transfer target
There seems to be a clear emphasis on Farke signing Premier League-proven players to help supplement a squad that got 100 points last season. Signing Longstaff, a man with 171 top tier appearances, certainly ticks that box.
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Now, the Yorkshire side are looking to bring another man with top-flight experience to Elland Road, according to journalist Sebastien Vidal. They are said to be ‘keen’ on signing Manchester City and England under-21 star James McAtee this summer.
The Citizens’ valuation of the attacking midfielder is said to be around £40m, with Sky Sports reporting earlier in the window that Nottingham Forest had a £25m bid rejected.
With Forest also interested in signing the youngster, this will by no means be a straightforward deal for the Whites to do.
Why McAtee would be a good signing
Despite making fleeting appearances for boyhood club City last season, Salford-born McAtee left a real impression when he got his opportunity. Pep Guardiola even called him a “special” player after scoring a hat-trick against Salford City.
Indeed, the 22-year-old made just 27 appearances for the Citizens last season, accumulating just 936 minutes. He still managed to find the back of the net seven times, averaging a goal every 133 minutes.
The 22-year-old captained the England under-21 side to victory in this summer’s European Championships. He played all six games for Lee Carsley’s side, scoring once and grabbing two assists, setting up Omari Hutchinson in the final against Germany.
If the Whites are able to sign McAtee this summer, he could prove to be a huge upgrade on their current number ten, Brenden Aaronson. The USA international played in every single one of Leeds’ games last season in the Championship, but struggled for consistency at times.
On the face of things, his numbers in the second tier last term were strong. He scored nine times and grabbed two assists in 46 games. Yet, spells of six, seven and eight games without a goal involvement were far from ideal for Farke’s side.
On top of that, McAtee has a far better record in the top flight. Aaronson has played one full season in the Premier League, bagging once and assisting three goals, featuring in 36 games and 2383 minutes.
In contrast, the Man City academy graduate has a full season of top-flight football under his belt from Sheffield United. In 30 games, or 1827 minutes, he scored three times and assisted the same number. He also bagged three goals for City in 15 games last term.
The numbers from FBref from their full seasons in the Premier League suggest that McAtee is an upgrade on Aaronson, too.
For example, he averaged 1.23 passes into the penalty area and 2.76 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to the American’s 0.61 passes into the penalty area and 1.63 progressive carries each game.
Goals and assists
0.3
0.15
Goals per shot on target
0.25
0.11
Passes into penalty area
1.23
0.61
Progressive carries
2.67
1,63
Take-ons completed
1.63
1.29
Tackles and interceptions
2.12
1.89
For a fee of around £40m, McAtee would be able to massively upgrade Leeds’ midfield. Whilst Aaronson has put in some good performances under Farke, the consistency with which the City star plays, and the impact he can have in such a short amount of time, stands out.
The 22-year-old could be Farke’s dream option to strengthen Leeds’ midfield and bring more Premier League quality to Elland Road.
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