After Liam Delap’s success at Ipswich, Premier League clubs are scrambling to pounce on 22-year-old midfielder McAtee from Manchester City. The young City player is said to be disappointed with his opportunities under Pep Guardiola and could look to leave the Etihad in January. According to The Telegraph, Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, Brentford and Crystal Palace are all keeping tabs on McAtee, while Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Germany and Fiorentina and Bologna in Italy are also interested.
With City going through an injury crisis this season, it’s no surprise to see McAtee frustrated. The report reveals that Guardiola made a strong effort to keep him this summer following interest from rivals, but the Spain manager is yet to have faith in the England Under-21 international. With just 18 months left on his contract, City must make an important decision regarding his future.
A star on the way to City
McAtee has only started twice for the Premier League champions this season and both times in the League Cup. City were without eight senior players in the 1-1 draw with Everton on Boxing Day, but the young prospect remained on the bench after playing just two minutes in the Premier League in 2024-25.
City are unlikely to let McAtee leave on loan, with his contract expiring in 2026. Therefore, January could be the time for him to leave and follow in the footsteps of Cole Palmer and Delap. Having not been given an opportunity due to an injury crisis, it is difficult to see where he fits into Guardiola’s vision.
