Pep Guardiola wants to stop Manchester City starlet James McAtee from becoming the next Cole Palmer as multiple clubs, including rivals Manchester United, consider a transfer swoop
Manchester United are among a host of clubs monitoring James McAtee's situation as the Manchester City starlet approaches the final year of his contract. McAtee, 22, is considering his future at City, despite boss Pep Guardiola wanting to keep him.
The talented playmaker has featured 13 times in the Premier League this season, and he'll face more competition for a place in the starting XI if City follow through on their interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz or Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.
Wirtz and Gibbs-White are both on the Premier League champions' shortlist after it was confirmed that club legend Kevin De Bruyne would be leaving the Etihad at the end of this season. McAtee would hope to benefit from De Bruyne's exit but City want to sign a readymade replacement who can straight slot into Guardiola's side.
The England under-21 international was given just his second league start of the season on Tuesday, as City boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a late 2-1 win at home to Aston Villa. McAtee's performances have still caught the eye of some of Europe's biggest clubs.
According to the Telegraph, both Leverkusen and Forest would be interested in McAtee as a replacement for their respective midfielders. United, Newcastle and AC Milan have also been named among the clubs keeping tabs on his situation.
The 22-year-old would fit United's recruitment model of signing young players who can grow together as a team. Guardiola recently admitted that he doesn't know if McAtee will stay beyond the summer, with his current deal expiring in 2026.
"For the age, I'd like him to stay," Guardiola said of the Salford-born star. "But I understand the players want more minutes. I would like him to stay, he's a player for the academy, he knows the patterns. He's a lovely person and trained really good. He can play different positions but I don’t know how the squad will be and we will see."
Should Manchester United attempt to sign James McAtee? Have your say in the comments section.
The City boss took responsibility for McAtee's lack of minutes this season and insisted he wouldn't hold that against him. "I didn't allow him to play minutes so I cannot ask anything from the players who don't play a lot of minutes. They could do better? No," Guardiola added.
"Macca has this quality, the ability to create. He is there. The game worked better against Palace, you create chances. Macca close to the box is quite similar to Phil. They are there, a sense. It’s difficult to train, to make that movement because the ball is coming. If he plays minutes he will score."
Modys
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He should stay in Manchester City, as it is the best place to grow up under Guardiola, the best coach in the world. Since the beginning, Manchester City has had a big squad, so he can compete in all the competitions, and that's what he missed this year.