Report: Premier League club now seriously considering letting ‘exceptional’ Leeds target move on loan

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Talented prospect James McAtee could be allowed to join Leeds United or Aston Villa on loan before the transfer window shuts.

The Athletic report that Leeds and Villa are among a host of clubs interested in signing the Manchester City man this summer.

City will not sell him under any circumstances, but are now open to loaning him out to give him more gametime next season.

Leicester City, Brighton and Southampton are named alongside Leeds and Villa in the report, and McAtee also has interest from Spain and Holland in his services.

McAtee could join Leeds or Villa on loan

McAtee has been on City’s pre-season tour and a number of senior attacking players have left the club this summer.

That could hand him more opportunities at the Etihad Stadium, but the standard is so high there that it is tricky to get into the team.

Of course, City will want to loan him somewhere his development will be best served, playing a style of football they feel can benefit him.

McAtee’s quality has been described by Pep Guardiola as ‘exceptional‘ and there is obviously a reason so many clubs want him.

He has to prove he can do it week-in, week-out in the Premier League and a loan move could be exactly the best way to do that.

That said, Phil Foden did not ever go on loan and his development was best served working with an elite manager and quality playmakers to get to the level he is at today.