The Leicester City attacker may face reduced playing time due to ongoing interest in Matias Soule.
Steve Cooper remains determined to secure Argentinian winger Matias Soule for the 2024/25 Premier League season. While it is uncertain if Cooper will succeed, especially given Soule’s reported preference for a move to Roma, Leicester City has made a significant bid of approximately £21 million to acquire Soule’s services.
Regardless of whether Cooper can finalize the deal for Soule, his intent to strengthen Leicester’s wide options is evident. This ambition comes even after the confirmed summer signings of Issahaku Fatawu and Bobby De Cordova-Reid. Consequently, one of Leicester’s current wingers might find himself surplus to requirements, forcing Cooper to make a tough decision.
Despite already having adequate wide players, Cooper’s determination to further bolster this area could hinder Kasey McAteer’s chances of securing a regular first-team spot in the upcoming season. McAteer, at 22 years old, may benefit more from a loan spell to a top Championship club to continue his development. Lack of regular playing time at this stage of his career could be detrimental to his growth.
McAteer played in 23 matches during Leicester’s Championship-winning 2023/24 campaign and was deemed ‘important’ by former manager Enzo Maresca, according to Fotmob. However, Cooper will be cautious about the Premier League experience within his squad as the new season approaches, evidenced by the importance of retaining seasoned players like Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy, both of whom have signed new deals with the club.
Although McAteer defied expectations last season by contributing significantly at the Championship level, it is unlikely he would make an immediate impact in the Premier League. While he is close to being able to influence top-tier games, his development could be hampered by spending the season on the bench instead of being a key player in the Championship.
If Soule or any of Cooper’s other wide targets do not join Leicester City, McAteer could still be valuable to Cooper’s plans. However, if additional wide players are acquired, it might be best for the young winger to gain experience through a temporary move to another club. This would ensure he continues to develop by playing regularly, rather than watching from the sidelines in the Premier League.
