Leeds United to land third winter signing as James McAtee update emerges
James McAtee has often found himself linked with a move to Leeds United.
With the recent arrivals of Brighton winger Facundo Buonanotte and Nigerian defender Leonard Ngenge, the Whites have already sealed two winter signings at Elland Road.
Buonanotte is likely to have an immediate impact for the Whites, while Ngenge is much more of a project signing with an eye on the future.
However, Leeds aren’t likely to be done there in regards to their transfer business, with the latest exit news surrounding McAtee potentially opening a new door.
James McAtee could leave Nottingham Forest in January
McAtee was the subject of an approach from Leeds in the summer and again in December, though a move failed to materialise in the end, and the former Man City star remained at Forest.
However, since then, the 23-year-old has started just one Premier League game under Sean Dyche, having been limited to just 170 minutes in league action.
As a result, his future has come into question, with an update from Sky Sports stating that he could move on from Forest this month.
While not named, there is said to be current interest from one Premier League club in taking him on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
McAtee has four years left on his deal at Forest come the end of the current season, with it already looking unlikely that he will see that out.
McAtee has yet to do what Micah Richards said he would
McAtee earned most of his praise from his time with Sheffield United in the Championship.
Throughout the 2023-24 campaign, he made 32 appearances for the Blades, registering five goals and four assists.
He then returned to Man City, where he managed seven goals across all competitions, but was gradually phased out of the first team picture before eventually joining Forest for £30million.
However, prior to that move, Micah Richards insisted that the midfielder would thrive at a club where he has more freedom, but he has failed to do so quite yet.
Back in 2025, he said: “He’s not probably the same level as Cole Palmer, but McAtee will go somewhere and will light it up. He will light it up. He’s got something special.”
A move to Leeds could help him realise that potential, and almost certainly boost the Whites’ chances of staying in the Premier League.
Stay up to date this winter with our Leeds transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at Elland Road, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.