Man City McAtee Guardiola
(Credit: Imago)
Stefan Borson
Wed 9 July 2025 13:00, UK
Manchester City could agree a “quick” James McAtee deal after talks have been revealed.
The recent arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have pushed the 22-year-old down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.
Football Insider revealed on 2 July McAtee wants to leave Man City for the good of his development, with first-team football his priority.
Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are believed to be keen on signing the midfielder, while multiple clubs in the Bundesliga have also registered their interest in his services.
McAtee, who has 12 months left to run on his contract, has already tasted success this summer after captaining England’s Under-21 side to the European Championships trophy.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider it’s slightly disappointing the academy product hasn’t been given more opportunities at the Etihad.
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McAtee started in just nine games for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, where he registered seven goals in 27 appearances.
James McAtee Man City
James McAtee’s 2024/25 stats (Credit: Imago)
James McAtee in Man City exit talks
Borson insisted Man City could sell McAtee “quickly” after he’s been speaking to other clubs about a potential move.
He told Football Insider: “The reality is, City have got to get rid of a lot of footballers.
“The squad is now bloated and, like many of the other teams, these are players where a lot of them are on decent money.
“McAtee will be on obviously the lower end wage-wise, but he’s one that can be sold quite quickly now. He’s a player that there is a lot of demand for.
“His wage expectations will not be excessive for the clubs that he’s speaking to, the German clubs, for example, and you know the reality is he’s not going to play for City anymore.
“He went with the Under-21s rather than to the Club World Cup, so I think it’s the end of the road.
“I do think City missed an opportunity to test him more last season when they were in their very poor period when they lost however many games it was.
“City missed an opportunity to give him some real game time at that point because he’s obviously a talented player.
“You don’t captain the England Under-21s to win if you’re not a talented player, and you don’t have the level of interest from the other clubs that he’s got if you’re not a talented player.
“I think it’s slightly disappointing that City didn’t really give him a bit more game time, but it’s water under the bridge now and he will leave. I think City will get their £25million and bank the profit.
“They have already probably invested that profit expecting it to come in due course.”
Pep Guardiola Man City
James McAtee has seen his Man City opportunities restricted under Pep Guardiola (Credit: Imago)
Newcastle plan to accept £80m Livramento offer after Man City swoop
In terms of a potential incoming, Football Insider revealed on 4 July Newcastle would accept an £80million offer for Tino Livramento following interest from Man City.
The England international is high on the list of targets at the Etihad as Guardiola looks to bring in a new right-back this summer.
The 22-year-old started in 36 of his 45 appearances for Newcastle in the 2024-25 season.
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