Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Thu 26 March 2026 18:40, UK

Daniel Farke could potentially convince Nottingham Forest midfielder James McAtee to finally join Leeds United in the upcoming transfer window.

The former Manchester City midfielder joined the Tricky Trees last summer amid heavy links with a move to Elland Road.

Having struggled for regular game time at the City Ground, it’s safe to say that the German manager may finally be able to sign the English prospect if the Whites present them with their project at the end of the season.

Farke must be backed by 49ers Enterprises if he manages to avoid Premier League relegation this season and the 23-year-old could potentially be one of the West Yorkshire outfit’s targets.

James McAtee season in numbers after Leeds United snub

Leeds contacted Forest for McAtee before the winter transfer window and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them do the same in the summer.

McAtee arguably left Man City for consistent minutes, but he’s made just 10 Premier League appearances this season, starting once and averaging 19 minutes per game, as per Sofascore.

While the Whites don’t have much to look at in terms of his league performances, the midfielder has been a regular in the Tricky Tree’s Europa League campaign, with one goal and one assist in eight appearances.

With an average Sofascore rating of 7.19 in the European competition, the versatile midfielder has created five big chances and made the Team of the Week once and completed 81 per cent of his passes.

McAtee has also been technically good for the Tricky Trees in the Europa League, completing 81 per cent of his passes and one dribble per game.

The Englishman has also put in a defensive shift, winning 54 per cent of his total duels — 3.4 per game.

James McAtee transfer staring Daniel Farke in face after winter debacle

Facundo Buonanotte’s arrival at Leeds in the winter transfer window has failed to live up to expectations, and he seems to be out of Farke’s plans.

The Argentina international will surely return to Bright & Hove Albion in the summer and the Whites could potentially replace him with McAtee.

While there’s plenty of competition in the West Yorkshire outfit’s engine room, the ex-Man City star’s prospects will certainly be much better at Elland Road.

McAtee seems to be an afterthought at Forest; the Peacocks can undoubtedly revive his career.