Sunderland, Cardiff City, Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle chasing Luton Town transfer | OneFootball

Highlights

Sunderland, Cardiff City, Ipswich Town and Plymouth Argyle are interested in signing Luton Town attacker John McAtee on loan until the end of the season, according to HITC.

The 24-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or as a striker, has spent the first-half of the season on loan at Barnsley and has impressed for the League One side.

The older brother of Sheffield United player James McAtee, the Luton Town man has scored nine times and recorded three assists for the Reds this season and his parent club are said to be keen to see what he can do a higher level.

It's reported that Luton are ready to cut McAtee's loan at Oakwell short to enable the player to join a Championship club this month, and the former Grimsby Town man isn't short of admirers in the second division.

John McAtee's 20223/24 season at Barnsley

McAtee moved to Oakwell at the end of August in search of regular first-team action with parent club Luton Town now in the Premier League.

Despite joining Luton from Grimsby in August 2022, he's never made an appearance for the Hatters, spending the entirety of their promotion winning campaign last season on loan at former side Grimsby.

However, he did make a matchday squad for Luton this season, sitting on the bench as the Hatters were defeated 4-1 away at Brighton on the opening day of their Premier League campaign.

McAtee has never played at a higher level than League One, but he's thriving for the Reds this season as they go in search of a Championship return after dropping out of the division in 2022.

His nine league goals and three assists for the Reds have helped Barnsley to sixth place in the League One table, but the club are set to be dealt a blow by McAtee's rumoured move to the Championship.

Championship move is the next step for John McAtee's career

Having never played above League One level, a move to the Championship is vital for John McAtee if he's to have any chance of breaking into the Luton Town first-team next season.

At 24, McAtee isn't a youngster by any means but, as we've seen in the past, sometimes the late developers can go on to achieve great things in football.

Just two seasons ago, McAtee was playing for Grismby Town in the National League and is now being linked with a move to some of the top Championship clubs, which shows that McAtee has really developed over the past two seasons.

With a host of Championship clubs interested in him this month, McAtee and Luton Town must ensure they chose the right club where he can continue his development by starting regular games and not being wasted on the bench.