---
title: "Leeds: James McAtee move could still happen"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-phil-hay-james-mcatee-transfer-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-07-05T18:50:19Z"
modified: "2022-07-05T18:50:19Z"
---

# Leeds: James McAtee move could still happen

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) correspondent [Phil Hay](https://theathletic.com/3388158/2022/07/04/manchester-city-phillips-transfer-leeds/) has claimed that Manchester City midfielder James McAtee could still make the move to Elland Road this summer.**

### The Lowdown: McAtee linked with Leeds

The Whites have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old, who has been described as [‘exceptional’](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-guardiola-palmer-mcatee-22231699) by his manager Pep Guardiola, over recent weeks.

[The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3370906/2022/06/18/manchester-city-their-pursuit-of-cucurella-and-the-three-potential-departures/) claimed last month that Leeds were ‘very keen’ on McAtee in a potential deal for Kalvin Phillips.

As we now know, the 26-year-old has moved to the Etihad Stadium, while Leeds have signed [Darko Gyabi](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399) from the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) champions in a separate transfer, but it looks as if Victor Orta and co could still move for McAtee before the summer window slams shut.

### The Latest: Hay’s claim

Hay was one of three reporters to provide an in-depth story on Phillips’ move to Manchester for [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3388158/2022/07/04/manchester-city-phillips-transfer-leeds/) on Monday.

He claimed towards the end of the report that McAtee remains highly rated by Elland Road chiefs and that the 19-year-old ‘could still arrive later in the summer’.

[![Latest Leeds United news!](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-46/)

### The Verdict: Strength in depth

McAtee appears to be a star in the making and has shone for City’s academy teams, contributing to [46 goals in 52 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-mcatee/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/583199) for the under-23s.

He has mainly lined out as an [attacking midfielder or central midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-mcatee/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/583199), so he would add strength in depth to a small first-team squad at Elland Road which had just [four](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/kader/verein/399/plus/0/galerie/0?saison_id=2021) out-and-out senior midfielders.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398317″\]

Leeds have done their best to bolster Jesse Marsch’s midfield ranks by [signing](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/transfers/verein/399) Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Gyabi already. [Tyler Adams](https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1543989108694990849?s=21&t=QYvWI8EJv_gs1kW9Y-yNVw) is also set to join, so McAtee could well become the fifth midfield arrival of the summer.