McAtee has been linked to several top clubs, including City’s rivals Manchester United
James McAtee could be leaving Manchester City this summer after the 22-year-old was left out of Pep Guardiola’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States.
The player’s absence may be a clear indication that the midfielder is not part of City’s plans moving forward. Guardiolas has previously complained of a bloated squad and threatened to quit the club if it wasn’t trimmed down.
He has also said specifically regarding McAtee: “For the age, I’d like him to stay. 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.”
While no transfer is imminent, McAtee has been heavily linked with a number of suitors, most notably Manchester United, in what would be a sensational cross-city switch.
The Salford-born midfielder has been part of City’s setup since the age of 11, but despite showing flashes of potential he has remained firmly on the fringes under Guardiola. Kevin De Bruyne’s exit this summer could have given him some hope of getting more minutes, but City want to sign a ready-made replacement, which would affect McAtee’s minutes.
With the England U-21 international’s contract running until 2026, City may look to cash in this summer rather than risk losing him on a free in two years’ time.
A similar situation occurred with Cole Palmer in the summer of 2023, with City selling the youngster to Chelsea due to a lack of playing time, after the signings of Matheus Cunha and Jeremy Doku were certain to further restrict his ability to get minutes.
McAtee has enjoyed two loan spells with Sheffield United, where he was a standout performer during their promotion campaign from the Championship. That form has attracted interest from clubs across Europe and the Premier League. Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Bayer Leverkusen have all also reportedly tracked the midfielder.
