Leeds: Marsch now 'interested' in signing Premier League star at Elland Road

Leeds are interested in loaning Manchester City youngster James McAtee, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

But Jesse Marsch’s side face stiff competition for the teenager, who’s wanted by several top-flight clubs.

Having made just a handful of first-team appearances under Pep Guardiola last season, the Daily Mail believe that the reigning Premier League champions are ‘considering’ letting the 19-year-old leave on loan.

The report states that along with Leeds, newly-promoted sides Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are also in the running, as are La Liga outfit Villarreal.

But Jones reckons that McAtee, who only made his senior debut for City in a Carabao Cup tie last September, wants to weigh up his options before deciding which club to join, with regular game-time top of his agenda.

When asked whether the City youngster is an option for Marsch, he told GIVEMESPORT: “I think that it’s something Leeds are looking at and they’re interested in him.

“I don’t think anyone is convinced that Manchester City will let him out, so they might have to wait until the end of the window.

“I think McAtee is also cautious about making sure he lands at a club where he gets opportunities, so there’s still lots to do there.”

Two months after making his senior debut, McAtee was handed his top-flight bow as a late substitute in City’s 3-0 victory over Everton back in November.

He would make another Premier League outing three months later against Norwich, this time getting slightly more time (15 minutes) to show what he can do.

But as of now, McAtee has only ever played 18 minutes in the league, and although he’s also featured in the Champions League, he’s racked up just 116 minutes across his first-team career.

That might be a concern