"They are still in for...": Transfer insider drops Leeds update supporters will love - opinion

Dean Jones has dropped an update on reported Leeds United transfer target James McAtee.

In a recent interview with Football Transfer Tavern, the transfer insider revealed that, despite recent reports suggesting the attacking midfielder is keen to stay at Manchester City heading into the 2022/23 campaign, Victor Orta nevertheless remains interested in a move for the 19-year-old this summer.

Regarding Leeds’ pursuit of the England U20 international’s signature, Jones said: “McAtee at Man City is somebody that they are still in for as well. That might be one that still ends up happening.”

Considering just how exciting a prospect McAtee evidently is, Jones’ claim that the Whites could yet seal a deal for the teenager this summer is sure to be news that the Elland Road faithful will love.

Indeed, over his 23 Premier League 2 appearances last season, the £2.7m-rated talent was in breathtaking form for City’s U23 side, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists – ranking the forward-thinking gem as the joint top scorer and fourth-highest assist provider in the division.

As such, it is easy to see why the player who Jacek Kulig dubbed “exceptional” has been labelled as Pep Guardiola’s next Phil Foden – the £128m-rated England international who has so far scored 45 goals and provided 33 assists over his 167 appearances for City.

In fact, when comparing McAtee’s record over City’s various age groups to that of Foden’s, it is the former who comes out on top, with the 19-year-old scoring a total of 44 goals and registering 27 assists over 87 fixtures – averaging a direct goal involvement every 90 minutes of football played – while the 22-year-old bagged 21 goals and provided 13 assists in 42 games – averaging a direct goal