**Manchester City are expected to face intense interest from across the Premier League during the January transfer market when it comes to the future of James McAtee.**
Pep Guardiola had made it clear during the summer market that he held ever intent to retain McAtee as part of his Manchester City squad for the now-ongoing season, following on from successive loan spells away from the club.
In two years, James McAtee played a major role in back-to-back seasons for Sheffield United, aiding their promotion back to the Premier League, before enduring relegation from the top-flight in the 2023/24 campaign.
Despite the heartache of relegation, Manchester City retained their belief that McAtee could play a huge role in the future of their midfield, but the player has found it difficult to come by the minutes that he may have expected throughout the campaign so far.
As such, there is a growing feeling of intent from numerous Premier League clubs that the Salford-born playmaker could become available in the upcoming transfer market, either on loan or in a permanent agreement.
According to the [information of the South London Press’ Edmund Brack](https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/crystal-palace-eye-manchester-city-attacking-midfielder-ahead-of-january-window-lyon-attacker-also-under-consideration/#google_vignette), Crystal Palace have now added Manchester City’s James McAtee to their list of potential transfer targets ahead of the January market.
[The report claims](https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/sport/crystal-palace-eye-manchester-city-attacking-midfielder-ahead-of-january-window-lyon-attacker-also-under-consideration/#google_vignette) that the England Under-21 international wants to leave Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions next month and would cost a transfer fee in the region of £20 million from any potential suitor.
Speaking during the summer months ahead of a campaign working within Manchester City’s first-team squad, McAtee had previously admitted that he was not entirely bothered about the number of minutes he would be given under Pep Guardiola.
Instead, the belief from the player in June was that the experience of working alongside City’s first-team squad would be invaluable. McAtee said, “I’m not really fussed about minutes. I just want to learn from the best manager, the best players and it’s not really about minutes.”
The Manchester City Academy graduate continued, I’ve gone out and got my minutes, with the physicality of the men’s game… Obviously I know the demands and quality in this team.
“If I wasn’t to get minutes it’s not something I’d be upset with but my aim is to prove myself and get in the team as much as I can. I need to earn that.”
At present, it remains to be seen what Manchester City’s internal stance will be on the future of James McAtee, with some believing that it would be naive to let an option from an already-depleted squad leave the club.