Manchester City are currently enjoying some time off ahead of the Premier League getting back underway next month.
Pep Guardiola’s men unexpectedly exited the FIFA Club World Cup at the Round of 16 stage to Al-Hilal, which has helped City’s stars get some extra rest before a short pre-season, which will see Man City take on Palermo and another club.
With Man City needing a right-back, the board continues to work on potential opportunities in the market, but the main focus at present is to trim down Guardiola’s squad.
Some players will be harder to sell than others, but City’s attention at present is on one star who is attracting a lot of attention from around Europe.
James McAtee in action during Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Man City focused on selling James McAtee
Guardiola admitted that he wanted McAtee to stay back in April as the midfielder is a great squad player to have at Man City, but the legendary coach understands that the 22-year-old wants regular minutes, hence why he chose to play for England’s U21s this summer.
The Englishman had his best season at the Etihad Stadium last time around; however, with the player seeking a new challenge, McAtee is the player Man City are focused on selling at present, reports The Athletic.
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“After Kyle Walker’s exit to Burnley, the focus has switched to James McAtee, who is attracting interest from England and Germany,” Jordan Campbell wrote.
“The 22-year-old is available on a permanent transfer, having been allowed to play for England at the Under-21 European Championship rather than be part of the City first-team squad at the Club World Cup. German side Eintracht Frankfurt are keen on the midfielder and have followed him since at least January.”
Man City will not find it hard to sell the midfielder as several clubs are interested in McAtee, and with Nottingham Forest being one of them, it has also been revealed how Nuno Espirito Santo plans to use the player if he arrives at the City Ground over the coming weeks.
How Nottingham Forest plan to use James McAtee
McAtee plans to travel to Eintracht Frankfurt over the coming days to see what the German club can offer him, as the Man City star is keen on a move to the Bundesliga.
Should the 22-year-old opt to remain in England, Nottingham Forest have already made contact over a move for McAtee, and should they sign him, the Premier League club plan to use him as both a number eight and a number ten, The Athletic reports.
The latter is the Englishman’s best position, and if Morgan Gibbs-White leaves Forest, the Man City star may simply take over his role at the City Ground.
It remains to be seen where McAtee ends up ahead of the 2025/26 season, but unlike many other stars in City’s squad, the player has plenty of interest in him.