Alan Shearer urges £35m player to leave Premier League club after Leeds United make approach
Aaronson was the source of criticism for Leeds fans during 2024-25. While his physicality has improved, it is his numbers in terms of goals and assists that are now a concern. Just nine goals and only two assists.
The United States star started 44 of 46 Championship games and while Larry Nance Jr argued the point that Leeds are better with Aaronson because of his energy and stamina, he lacked quality in front of goal.
But in the Premier League, Leeds require better. They also need competition for Aaronson and in the form of James McAtee, Leeds would be bringing in a player that instantly improves Daniel Farke’s starting XI.
Alan Shearer has urged James McAtee to leave Manchester City
Leeds are one of 12 clubs to have approached Man City regarding a move for McAtee. The England U21 star has found chances are at a premium at City under Pep Guardiola. City want a huge £35m for McAtee.
On Saturday, McAtee was left out of the entire squad for The FA Cup final. Discussing his omission, Alan Shearer told The Rest Is Football that McAtee needs to leave Man City and go and get minutes elsewhere.
Shearer thinks a move will suit McAtee, following the Cole Palmer route at Man City instead of the Phil Foden pathway: “He’s not getting in their team. He’s another one that is going to have to leave.”
Micah Richards and Gary Lineker give James McAtee verdicts
Leicester City have been relegated to the Championship and any hope of signing players of McAtee’s calibre are over for the Foxes, right now. For Leeds, there is a much better chance come the summer.
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Lineker joked “we’ll take him at Leicester”, before Richards said: “He’s not probably the same level as Cole Palmer, but McAtee will go somewhere and will light it up. He will light it up. He’s got something special.”
It is an important moment in McAtee’s career. The playmaker deserves Premier League football but needs to join a side where he is going to get regular game time, to allow him to flourish and shine at this level.
Leeds can offer that. Clubs like Newcastle and Tottenham have been linked, but at Leeds he would be a starting option for Farke and is certainly an improvement on Aaronson, in the position behind the striker.
