The Foxes had been keeping an eye on the 20-year-old, which is not surprising given that they had been linked with several City players throughout the summer, including Shea Charles and Cole Palmer.
Before moving to the King Power Stadium in the summer, Enzo Maresca worked with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad. He appeared to be using his connections there to bring in some top-tier signings.
Maresca ultimately brought in just one City player, Callum Doyle, who joined on a season-long loan and immediately rose to the top of the Foxes’ roster.
What transpired regarding James McAtee?
Since the Blades could only loan one player from City after their promotion to the Premier League, it was uncertain whether McAtee would return to Sheffield United. McAtee had been linked with a number of clubs throughout the summer transfer window.
To rule out a short-term switch for McAtee, who would undoubtedly have been out of their price range had they attempted to hire him permanently, they may have made a loan move for former loanee Tommy Doyle.
They apparently stuck in their heels to convince City to allow McAtee to return on loan to Bramall Lane, but it appears that they didn’t move to Doyle in the end.
Because they weren’t sure whether he could manage competing for a playoff spot in South Yorkshire, Guardiola’s team had been hesitant to allow the player to return there.
However, player power ultimately played a key role, as the midfielder chose to rejoin Paul Heckingbottom’s team after speaking with Leicester.
According to journalist Blackwell for Leicestershire Live, they were interested in McAtee because if Ndidi had left, it could have been relatively simple to close a trade later on because the Leicester player attracted late attention from teams like Nottingham Forest.
Although the two players aren’t all that similar, McAtee would have given the midfield more depth if Ndidi had left.
In the absence of any other circumstances, should Leicester City have pursued James McAtee?
Given that Maresca is familiar with McAtee and his potential to contribute in the final third, McAtee would have been a great addition for the Foxes.
They already have some top-notch alternatives in the park’s center, so they can’t just add more to the squad for the sake of it.
Some of their midfielders, like Cesare Casadei, can push forward and contribute offensively, and the addition of McAtee might have forced other elite players to the bench.
They might have made a mistake by not hiring McAtee because that probably wouldn’t have been good for morale.
The Sheffield United loanee has talent and has succeeded at this level in the past, so it seems crazy to assume that they could manage without him given their other midfield options and their ability to threaten from the wing as well.
They have players who can be prolific at this level in addition to creators.
