James McAtee features: 3 perfect PL loan signings Leeds United should already be eyeing | OneFootball

Leeds United defeated Norwich City on Thursday night to secure their place in the play-off final at Wembley, meaning they could be set for an immediate return to the Premier League, which would see a busy period of change in the summer transfer market.

The Whites require the most financially rewarding football game in the world at Wembley for Daniel Farke to make it a hat-trick of promotions from the Championship, with the final to be held on Sunday 26th May.

However, recruitment calls will be well underway, irrespective of which league they are in, but Farke and co. will surely be dreaming of Premier League glory once more.

With promotion very much in mind ahead of the final, here, we take a look at who Leeds could look to target as loan signings from Premier League sides.

James McAtee

The Manchester City youngster has been out on loan for the last two years with Sheffield United, initially with the Blades in the Championship, where they saw the best of him during the second half of their promotion campaign, highlighting his Premier League potential.

From 37 Championship games that season, James McAtee collected 12 goal contributions from attacking-midfield but the majority of those came in the second half of the season, with nine coming since gameweek 24.

The 21-year-old then had the opportunity to take that form into this season, and has been one of Sheffield United's shining lights in an otherwise bitterly disappointing Premier League campaign. He has five goals and four assists from 33 games in all competitions and has done enough to warrant another season in the top-flight away from Man City.

Leeds could continue to operate with Georginio Rutter centrally, but should they move the forward out wide, then a player who could operate as a central or attacking midfielder would be of huge benefit in terms of reconfiguring Farke's attacking options. His creativity and eye for goal as well as his link-up play could be the difference in the final third for Leeds.

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Leeds United earned their place in the Championship play-off final with a 4-0 win over Norwich City on Thursday evening

Issa Kabore

Full-backs are certain to be on the agenda for the club, with the likes of Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Sam Byram, and Jamie Shackleton all out of contract this summer, whilst Connor Roberts is only a loan player. It means that, irrespective of the league the Whites find themselves in, they will need full-backs.

Issa Kabore could give Leeds the quality and depth needed for the Premier League in that area of the pitch, having been on loan to Luton Town from Manchester City, and being deployed as a right wing-back.

He has the pace and energy required to dominate a flank, and Leeds will need one of their full-back pairing to be an attack-minded presence next term. Should he be partnered with a defensive-minded left-back to create a situational back three, Kabore could thrive down the right-hand side for Leeds.

Operating as a wing-back this season could mean he is used to playing high and wide down the right, much like how Farke utilised Max Aarons in his Norwich set up in the Premier League. Kabore is a player continuing to develop by the game as well, so the move should be mutually beneficial to all parties involved.

David Datro Fofana

Leeds may well look to spend big on their forward signings this summer, and sign a more established top-flight striker, but Chelsea's David Datro Fofana would be an interesting option that the Whites could look to explore this summer.

Patrick Bamford’s body may be of concern for the medical team at Leeds, with his workload often seeing him break down in recent years before rushing him back. The need for a starting centre-forward has therefore become apparent.

Joel Piroe lacks many of the line-leading qualities required for Farke’s system, which Bamford has, but he himself is also the wrong side of 30 now. Fofana, meanwhile, is an up-and-coming talent emerging from Chelsea and has already impressed on loan with Burnley despite their recent relegation.

He has the speed and movement in behind to play on the shoulder and the strength and size to pin defenders and act as a focal point. He may need more refinement in certain aspects of his skills, but he could be a solid loan signing if Leeds look for a younger Bamford alternative to ease the burden on the 30-year-old and save money for alternative areas of the squad.