Leeds United twist in Huddersfield Town move for Man City midfielder amid Pep Guardiola claim

Leeds United have joined the list of clubs reported to be interested in Huddersfield Town loan target James McAtee this summer amid reports that Manchester City may decide to keep him at the Etihad Stadium for the season ahead.

The Terriers are believed to be interested in taking the 19-year-old midfielder on loan for the coming season but already faced competition for his signature from a fleet of clubs across the Championship and Premier League, with the Daily Mail reporting that Leeds would be keen to use him as a makeweight in a deal that would take Kalvin Phillips the other way.

That has echoes of claims that Brighton and Hove Albion were keen to do likewise in a deal for Marc Cucurella, while Southampton are also said to be interested in McAtee’s services.

However, it is possible that McAtee will remain under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage for the season ahead, with The Athletic’s City correspondent Sam Lee writing that ‘both McAtee and City are expecting first-team involvement [at City] next season’.

City have a general policy of keeping their most promising youngsters close to their own bosom rather than send them out on loan, having done likewise with Phil Foden and Cole Palmer over the past few seasons.

A continuation of that policy, coupled with the considerable interest elsewhere, may make it difficult for the Terriers to get a deal over the line – although The Sun’s Alan Nixon maintains that ‘the England Under-21 international could be allowed to speak to the play-off final losers.’

Town are looking to add reinforcements in the attacking half for the season ahead having successfully bolstered their defence last season, helping them to an unexpected third-place finish in the Championship.

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