Man City Set to Offload James McAtee Amid Interest from Premier League Rivals
Manchester City are reportedly ready to sell James McAtee in the January transfer window as interest from Premier League clubs, including West Ham and Fulham, intensifies.
This revelation comes from former Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who shared his insights with Football Insider, stating that McAtee’s situation mirrors that of former City academy star Cole Palmer, who left for Chelsea due to limited opportunities at the Etihad.
McAtee’s Current Situation
The 22-year-old midfielder returned to City after an impressive loan spell at Sheffield United, where he showcased his skills and development. However, despite his potential, McAtee has struggled to secure a consistent role under Pep Guardiola.
So far this season, McAtee has made just six appearances in all competitions, with three starts. His only goal came during the 4-0 Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava.
City’s Transfer Plans
Brown hinted that City are willing to listen to offers for McAtee in January, particularly if it allows them to reinvest in strengthening their starting XI.
“I watched him play a few times when he was at Sheffield United,” Brown explained. “There’s no doubting he’s a talented player. He grabs your attention because he’s got the ability to beat somebody, play a pass, or get a shot off.”
However, Brown believes McAtee lacks the quality to secure a regular spot in City’s world-class lineup: “He’s come through the academy, gone off on loan and performed well, honed his skills, but then he’s not quite good enough to step into a really top side.”
Interest from West Ham and Fulham
Both West Ham and Fulham are closely monitoring McAtee, recognizing his potential to make an impact in their squads. Brown supports the idea of a move, stating, “If he’s not going to play a part in their team, it wouldn’t surprise me if they looked to sell him in January.”
City might use the funds from McAtee’s sale to reinforce their squad, especially as they aim to address consistency issues in the current season. “They could raise money from him and reinvest it because we’re expecting them to dip into the transfer market to improve their team,” Brown added.
A Cole Palmer Comparison
McAtee’s situation draws parallels with Cole Palmer, who left City earlier this season for similar reasons. “City let Cole Palmer go because they decided he wasn’t good enough. So is McAtee better than Palmer? That’s the question now,” Brown remarked. “I’d wager the answer to that is no. In that case, I’d expect they’ll probably let him leave too if one of those clubs makes an acceptable offer.”
What’s Next?
While Football Insider previously reported that City might delay decisions on McAtee until the summer due to injuries, Brown’s comments suggest the club is leaning toward a January sale. A move could offer McAtee a fresh start and provide City with funds to bolster their squad.
In related news, Man City staff are reportedly concerned about Kyle Walker’s fitness, raising further questions about the club’s plans for the January transfer window.
