Crystal Palace
Mick Brown
Tue 3 December 2024 11:00, UK
Crystal Palace are plotting a move to sign Man City gem James McAtee in the January transfer window as they want to act quickly in the market.
This is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Palace scouts have been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old’s progress.
The departure of Michael Olise to Bayern Munich has left the Eagles short of left-footed options to play as the right-sided number ten in Oliver Glasner’s system.
Eddie Nketiah, Ismaila Sarr and Daichi Kamada have all been trialled in the position, but there is a feeling that a natural left-footer would provide greater balance.
Glasner has recently raised frustrations regarding Palace’s recruitment in the summer [via Bobby Manzi], as he shared: “*It’s pretty clear that how we acted in the summer shouldn’t be repeated in January. We should do much better altogether. This is what we are preparing.*“
McAtee has emerged as one of the key names on Palace’s list of targets, with his ability to play as a number ten or wide on the right seen as ideal for their squad.
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However, the Eagles are expected to face competition from the likes of West Ham and Fulham in their pursuit of the Man City academy product.
Crystal Palace scouts watching Man City gem James McAtee
Brown previously told Football Insider that City are prepared to let McAtee leave in January after he has struggled to make his mark at the Etihad.
Now, the former scout who recalled watching McAtee on West Ham’s behalf during his loan spell at Sheffield United, insisted that Palace could be the perfect destination for him to continue his development after stalling at City.
“*Yes, Palace are one of the clubs interested in McAtee,*” he told Football Insider.
“I know they’ve had scouts watching him for a while, but they’re not the only ones who are interested.
“I watched him quite often when I was at West Ham and he was on loan at Sheffield United.
“Palace have been looking at signing a left-footed attacking player and he’d certainly fit that bill, and I’m sure they’re well aware of his strengths and weaknesses.
“My judgement on him at that time was that he’s a very talented young player, but he wasn’t good enough to step up to being a regular at Man City.
“Now City have decided he’s not going to be a part of their plans, so they’ll look to move him on.
Crystal Palace
“But like I say, he is a talented player, and just because he isn’t Man City-level doesn’t mean he wouldn’t do a good job for a Palace or a West Ham.
*“That might be where he can settle and start to develop his game properly.*“
In other news, Palace have responded to Man City’s interest in Adam Wharton.
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