Leeds reportedly set sights on ‘exceptional’ midfield talent, Marsch could get his own David Silva – TBR View

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Leeds United have reportedly set the sights on Manchester City prodigy James McAtee.

According to The Athletic, the Whites are keen on bringing the 19-year-old to Elland Road, on loan or permanently.

The outlet also suggests that Leeds may try to include McAtee in any deal that sees Kalvin Phillips go the other way.

Leeds are bracing themselves for an offer from City for their midfield star man.

The Citizens are currently looking to fill a void in the centre of the pitch.

Fernandinho will leave the Etihad when his contract expires, so Pep Guardiola is eyeing a replacement.

While Phillips is Leeds through and through, a big offer from the Premier League champions could prove tempting for club and player.

That said, the Whites won’t let their talisman go for cheap. They’ll want what they think Phillips is worth, thought to be around £50million.

And while City apparently want to keep McAtee around the first-team, they may have a decision to make if they really want Phillips.

“Good potential”

Fair play to Leeds for not only playing hardball over Phillips, but to reportedly plan an audacious swoop for one of England’s top youngsters.

McAtee registered a staggering 18 goals and seven assists from just 23 Premier League 2 appearances last term.

He also made his first-team debut last season, clocking up six senior appearances, including one in the Champions League.

Fans on Twitter have compared him to the likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Joao Felix.

McAtee’s debut came in November 2021 in the 3-0 Premier League win over Everton.

After the game, Pep Guardiola said: “All of us we believe, we have a good generation of four, five or six players with quite a good potential to help us.

“I am not talking about Phil, but these guys have a good quality, Cole has a good quality, James, Romeo, Sam Edozie, now he is injured, but is an exceptional winger, Liam Delap is injured.

“We have exceptional players in the academy, I am not shy to use them. If they are good, they are going to get an opportunity.”