· 2 June 2025, 21:30
**Manchester City's academy is so prolific that even though they churn out top-quality players regularly, there's no space in the squad to keep them, which is why we've seen players like Liam Delap and Cole Palmer move on and become huge stars elsewhere.**
The latest top-quality player off the production line at the Etihad is James McAtee. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has played several times for Pep Guardiola, and while the Spanish coach is a big fan of McAtee, he has reportedly told the youngster that he can leave the club this summer.
Newcastle have held an interest in McAtee for a while, so this is likely to be music to their ears.
The problem is, however, that McAtee plays in a position that is far from a priority for Eddie Howe right now.
James McAtee will be available this summer
James McAtee has been told he can find a new club with Newcastle keen on the £20m midfielder
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As reported by [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-united-put-transfer-red-31769428), McAtee has fallen down the pecking order at Man City and, as such, has been told he can find a new club, and would expect to cost £20 million.
Newcastle are keen, but as things stand, don't really have a need or the space for an attacking midfielder, although McAtee can and has played down the right flank, which could make him more appealing.
However, if we wanted to get a bit creative here, Newcastle could find a new club for Joe Willock, who failed to impress when given his opportunity on several occasions, and we also expect Sean Longstaff to leave the club this summer.
The stars don't feel like they're aligning on this one
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If both Willock and Longstaff leave, that would leave an opening for McAtee. We probably don't need to replace both players as we still have Lewis Miley, but we'd definitely need at least one more backup option in case of midfield emergencies.
McAtee has the potential to be good enough to start regularly for Newcastle, although he would have to work hard to displace Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali or Joelinton initially, but at 22, he could be an outstanding addition for the future.
Whether McAtee would leave Man City to come and warm the bench at Newcastle does seem unlikely, though. So, as much as we admire James McAtee, the timing doesn't really seem to work for Newcastle.