Journalist and YouTuber Conor McGilligan has been left rather excited as Leeds United received a boost to their hopes of signing James McAtee.
According to a recent report in The Athletic, the Manchester City youngster may be allowed to leave the club on loan this summer.
The article explains that a number of Premier League clubs – including Leeds, Leicester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton and Aston Villa – want the 19-year-old, but only some would be willing to take him on loan.
While it remains unclear as to whether or not the Whites want him on a short-term deal or permanently, McGilligan believes the club may have an advantage due to their recent transfer business with City involving Kalvin Phillips.
While speaking on the One Leeds Fan Channel, he explained: “Manchester City have essentially said, ‘look, we will be open to offers’.
“Now, this is good in a sense for Leeds United, because I do believe that you’re building relationships with clubs by doing transfer business previously; I do think that builds connections, it does build links as well, it does build trust.
“Southampton have done a lot of business with Manchester City this window, they’ve done business with them in the past as well. Leeds have now done business with them regarding Kalvin Phillips.”
He then added: “So you can establish links, you can establish connections, as I’ve said, and trust, and build that. So that’s positive for Leeds United. James McAtee, I think he’d be a fantastic signing.”
Should Leeds make a move to sign James McAtee this summer?
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TIF Thoughts on James McAtee and Leeds…
As mentioned above, City and Leeds clearly having a working relationship in the transfer market after Phillips made the switch to Manchester earlier this summer.
However, Southampton – who also seem to have an interest in McAtee – have had plenty of involvement with Man City in recent times, too. Indeed, both Gavin Bazunu and Romeo Lavia have joined the Saints from the Premier League champions this summer already, so Leeds won’t be alone in having this potential advantage.
Still only 19 years of age, McAtee has already played six times for the senior City side and has clearly done enough to draw plenty of interest. And with so much competition for his signature, it won’t be easy for Leeds to sort a deal even if they do have that established relationship with Pep Guardiola’s club.