Leeds United are said to have made an approach to sign a “fantastic” Premier League player in the summer transfer window.
Leeds eyeing signings for Premier League return
The Whites have secured their return to the top flight from the Championship, and it’s now a case of finding the right signings to bolster their hopes of survival.
In each of the past two seasons, the three promoted clubs into the Premier League have gone straight back down, so Leeds will be hoping they can buck that trend in 2025/26 by signing some top-quality players. With that in mind, 49ers Enterprises are thought to be willing to spend around £30m each on a new goalkeeper, centre-back and central midfielder, and have set further funds aside for a new striker.
Following Illan Meslier’s inconsistent form, Wolves stopper Sam Johnstone has been mentioned as an option to strengthen between the sticks. The Englishman has struggled for playing time at Molineux this season, so may jump at the opportunity to join Daniel Farke’s side.
A Kalvin Phillips reunion has also been mooted in recent days, with the Englishman’s career nosediving since leaving Elland Road for Manchester City, with injuries hampering him and a place back in Leeds’ midfield an enticing proposition.
Leeds want to sign "fantastic" Man City starlet
According to a new report from The Sunday Mirror [via MOT Leeds News], Phillips isn’t the only subject of interest at the Etihad, as Leeds have made an approach for City attacking midfielder James McAtee, seeing him as an exciting target this summer.
City value the 22-year-old at £25m and an exit is on the cards at the end of the season, with the Englishman only having one year left on his current deal. The Whites are set to battle Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen for his services.
McAtee could be exactly what Leeds are after ahead of next season, in terms of being a young player with lots of potential, but also already picking up some Premier League experience. In a star-studded City squad, the midfielder has still managed 15 appearances in the league this term, scoring three times in the process, and Pep Guardiola has described him as a “fantastic” player.
McAtee seemingly doesn’t have a long-term future at the Etihad, however, with too many elite players ahead of him in the pecking order, so a move to Leeds this summer could be an ideal outcome for all parties.
He would come straight in as a key starter for the Whites, rather than warming the bench for City, and his ability to shine in both a central attacking midfield role and out wide on the right flank would surely appeal to Farke.
"Sensational" Leeds target now ready to quit PL club as 49ers plot move
He could solve their biggest problem…
ByTom Cunningham
At 22, this is the right time for McAtee to become a regular starter in the Premier League, rather than wasting his best years as a substitute, and the 18-cap and seven-goal England Under-21 international should be considered a priority option for Leeds.