Phil Hay: Leeds could sign 'exceptional' Premier League midfielder alongside Adams and Gyabi

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has claimed that Manchester City midfielder James McAtee could still make the move to Elland Road this summer.

The Whites have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old, who has been described as ‘exceptional’ by his manager Pep Guardiola, over recent weeks.

The Athletic 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 from the Premier League 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.

Hay was one of three reporters to provide an in-depth story on Phillips’ move to Manchester for The Athletic 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’.

McAtee appears to be a star in the making and has shone for City’s academy teams, contributing to 46 goals in 52 games for the under-23s.

He has mainly lined out as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder, so he would add strength in depth to a small first-team squad at Elland Road which had just four out-and-out senior midfielders.

Leeds have done their best to bolster Jesse Marsch’s midfield ranks by signing Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Gyabi already. Tyler Adams is also set to join, so McAtee could well become the fifth midfield arrival of the summer.

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