Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring James McAtee to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What's the word?

That's according to a recent report by The Athletic, who claim that Victor Orta is very keen on the idea of a move for the Manchester City attacking midfielder this summer, whether that is on a loan or a permanent deal.

The report goes on to state that, while Pep Guardiola is planning on using the 19-year-old as part of his first-team squad next season, City could be tempted into parting with the England U20 international should their own negotiations concerning a £60m deal for Leeds central midfielder Kalvin Phillips begin to drag on.

The next David Silva

Considering just how exciting a prospect McAtee quite clearly is, it is not difficult to understand why Orta would be interested in a deal to bring the youngster to Elland Road ahead of the Whites' upcoming Premier League campaign.

Indeed, over his top scorer and fourth-highest assist provider in the division.

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It is this level of form that has seen the £2.7m-rated talent who Jacek Kulig dubbed "exceptional" earn comparisons to Manchester City legend David Silva, while Barry-Murphy also took the time to heap a considerable amount of praise on the teenager in an interview with GOAL earlier this season.

Concerning McAtee, the youth coach said: "I've seen a real hunger from him to develop his goal scoring, and drifting towards that goal. He is a very, very talented player and a very creative player.

"I think it's very early in his development. He wants to score goals to support the team and work alongside his teammates but he understands he has a special set of qualities that will allow him to score goals and create goals. He's very focused on improving that, which is intriguing me."

As such, should Orta go on to seal a deal for the attacking midfielder this summer, it is clear to see that the Spanish sporting director will have landed an exceptionally promising young talent - one who, if he continues his remarkable rise following a theoretical switch to Leeds, could go on to become the Whites' very own Silva.

AND in other news: Victor Orta now in talks for "scary" £18m signing, it'd be an "unreal" coup for Leeds