Manchester City News can exclusively confirm the latest around James McAtee’s transfer situation amid an increasingly uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City have embarked on a summer rebuild, with a host of players joining the club in order to help the Citizens return to the upper echelons of European football.
But while some players – such as Jack Grealish – are set to be moved on due to being surplus to requirements, City wanted to keep hold of McAtee.
Transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm what McAtee has in mind about his future and where he is most likely to be playing next season.
Manchester City FC midfielder James McAtee
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Bundesliga the most likely option for James McAtee
Bailey can confirm that Tottenham, Fulham and West Ham have all had recent contact about McAtee’s situation.
However, a number of Bundesliga clubs are also in pursuit. Indeed, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt are leading the race.
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RB Leipzig and Stuttgart are also firmly in contention, while Italian side Atalanta are also in the picture.
“McAtee has a lot of options available to him but as it stands Germany is the most likely option,” Bailey exclusively told Manchester City News.
“City have accepted he is going with no new deal on the horizon. City would point out they tried to keep him, but he wants first-team football.
“McAtee believes he needs to be playing now. He has seen old City teammates like Palmer and Delap have great success after leaving and he is ready to do the same.”
What Pep Guardiola has said about James McAtee’s Manchester City future
Guardiola previously admitted he wanted McAtee to stay, as he is a talented and versatile player along with being a really nice person.
“For the age I would like him to stay,” Guardiola told the City media team.
“I understand, the players want more minutes I understand that.
“I would like him to stay, he’s an academy player, he knows the patterns, he’s a lovely person, a lovely guy.
“He trains really good, plays in different positions. I like him but with the squad, it’s how we finish and we will see.”
Guardiola also told reporters after McAtee’s hat-trick in the FA Cup win over Salford City: “He’s an exceptional guy and he has a special talent.
“When he plays close to the opposition, he has an incredible sense of goal. His work ethic is unbelievable and he is aggressive.”