James McAtee subject to imminent transfer pursuit from Manchester City’s Premier League rivals | OneFootball

Manchester City will be bracing themselves for the first serious transfer pursuit of James McAtee this window, it has been reported.

Uncertainty over the player’s future comes just months after Pep Guardiola had worked intensely to ensure that McAtee would remain a part of his first-team squad for the ongoing season, after back-to-back loan spells at Sheffield United.

However, opportunities in the squad have been extremely hard to come by, despite Guardiola’s other options being hampered by injury and fitness problems, with the 22-year-old recording just 10 appearances across all competitions and 367 minutes of match action in that time.

A bright moment came just before the end of 2024, as McAtee’s contributions in yet another substitute appearance offered a stark reminder to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City as a whole over what he can bring to the team.

Flying down the right-side of City’s attack, McAtee skipped past one Leicester defender before feeding the ball calmly into midfield in an attacking phase of play that would ultimately result in a goal from Erling Haaland to secure all three points on the road in the Premier League.

And it is that reminder of his fine abilities as a versatile attacking midfielder that is continuing to attract interest from throughout Europe over his services, particularly from within England but not excluding suitors in Germany.

Now, according to the information of MailSport’s Simon Jones, Premier League rivals Fulham are now weighing up a move for Manchester City’s highly-rated attacking midfield talent, James McAtee.

It is claimed that the London club are considering testing the English top-flight champions’ resolve, with the Cottagers aware the England Under-21 international wants more first-team chances to prove his ability.

As for McAtee’s situation at the Etihad Stadium, the player currently has 18 months left on his contract, and with Manchester City yet to engage in negotiations, his situation has reportedly alerted a number of interested clubs from across Europe.

Pep Guardiola recently told reporters during a recent press conference that the showing at the King Power Stadium from James McAtee may have been a strong reminder to those at the club that he should have had more opportunities for the club this season.

“He made us believe that maybe he should’ve had more minutes but he’s young, and a lot of games still to play, but of course he played really good,” Pep Guardiola said ahead of the club’s eventual 4-1 win over West Ham.

The Catalan coach continued, “And the most important is all of his teammates were so happy, because he has big respect for how he behaves in the locker room.”