Leeds United will try to sign Manchester City youngster James McAtee on a permanent basis, according to The Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

McAtee made his senior debut for City last season, and Taylor thinks Leeds could try to test the waters by putting a bid in for McAtee this summer.

What's the latest news involving McAtee?

Back in January, Pep Guardiola labelled McAtee a "special player", and he did hand the 19-year-old two substitute appearances in the league as City won the title for the fourth time in five seasons.

However, with City having such an array of attacking talent, it seems that McAtee's opportunities moving forward could be limited at the Etihad Stadium.

The Daily Mail have reported that Leeds are keen on the attacking midfielder, and he could potentially be used as a makeweight in a deal that would see Kalvin Phillips move in the opposite direction.

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What has Taylor said about McAtee?

Some fans may think that Leeds could focus on taking McAtee on loan, but Taylor expects them to look to tie him down to a permanent contract, having signed another highly-talented teenager in the shape of Lewis Bate last summer.

Taylor told GIVEMESPORT: “I think McAtee is one that Leeds will look at permanently. They’re partial to that kind of deal. We saw them sign Lewis Bate from Chelsea, that kind of high potential youngster that they’re willing to invest in, although it hasn’t quite worked out yet.”

Will City allow McAtee to join Leeds?

When you look at the options that Guardiola currently has in midfield, it is hard to see how McAtee is going to play regularly next term.

City can call upon the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, and even Phil Foden can drop deeper into midfield.

However, De Bruyne and Gundogan are both into their thirties, while Silva has been linked with a move to Barcelona.

With this in mind, Guardiola could take a cautious approach when it comes to making a decision on McAtee's future as he may not want to lose a bright talent at such a young age.

He may instead decide to send McAtee on loan to Leeds, giving him the option to recall McAtee if he goes on to impress at Elland Road.