Leeds United contact Nottingham Forest over January move for James McAtee
Leeds United have been alerted to the possible availability of James McAtee in the January transfer window.
Leeds have been chasing McAtee for years since he first emerged at Man City but he finally left the Etihad permanently in the summer for Nottingham Forest.
Leeds were again in the race to sign McAtee prior to his move to the City Ground but lost out, yet things haven’t gone to plan for the Englishman since and he could yet be on the move again.
The surprise exit of Nuno Espirito Santo led to the ill-fated Ange Postecoglou reign at Forest, before the Australian was himself replaced by Sean Dyche, and McAtee appears to have suffered as a result.
Leeds and Chelsea enquire after McAtee
According to a new update from The Mail the 23-year-old has not been able to have the impact expected after signing in a deal worth as much as £30million, with the lack of continuity in the dug-out cited.
He has only featured in six Premier League games, starting just once, and was an unused substitute for Forest’s 2-1 defeat by Man City on Saturday.
As a result he is once again being targeted by interested sides, with Leeds and Chelsea both said to have been in contact over his situation.
Dyche and the club apparently maintain he can have a bright future at the club but his lack of game time has got suitors queuing up.
Leeds are still looking to sign a number 10 after also failing to land Fulham’s Harry Wilson in the summer.
Meanwhile the Cottagers, as well as Bournemouth and Sunderland are also said to be eyeing the possibility of a January loan for McAtee.
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Chelsea interest seems to make little sense outside of the fact that McAtee is young and used to work with Enzo Maresca at City.
If the Blues were to make a move for him it would surely heighten Leeds’ chances of landing Facundo Buonanotte at the second opportunity.
But it may be more desirable for Whites fans and the hierarchy to secure McAtee direct if there is a deal to be done for the remainder of the campaign at least.
Brenden Aaronson‘s frequent deployment by Daniel Farke has been a sore subject this season with the American only scoring once from 16 appearances, even if he has dropped to the bench during the recent change of formation.
If Leeds could finally bring in McAtee after nearly four years of trying it could solve his issues with the upheaval at Forest and play a key role in keeping the Whites in the Premier League, assuming the 49ers don’t themselves decide to make a change at manager yet.
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