‘James McAtee will leave Man City after Pep Guardiola green light’
Man City will entertain offers for James McAtee as they do not view him among the options to replace Kevin de Bruyne following his departure.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old is not a part of Pep Guardiola’s long-term plans.
McAtee was subject to plenty of transfer speculation in January before opting to remain at the Etihad, and the interest from clubs across Europe has not died down.
This comes after Football Insider revealed in November that City are prepared to let McAtee leave in the summer, despite being reluctant to accept January offers.
The likes of West Ham, Leeds, Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen and a number of other clubs across Europe are believed to be interested in the attacking midfielder.
Meanwhile, De Bruyne’s departure has left a hole in the squad, and Man City are eyeing four replacements as they prepare for his departure from the Etihad.
Man City make James McAtee transfer plan after De Bruyne news
Brown told Football Insider last month that Man City remain open to offers for McAtee despite his increased presence in the team amid interest from West Ham.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the interest in his signature has not gone away since January.
“I expect they’ll listen to offers for McAtee this summer,” he told Football Insider.
“Unfortunately, he’s one of those lads who’s come through the system, done well at a certain level out on loan, but he’s not quite a Manchester City player.
“That’s no disrespect to him, he’s very talented, but it’s a very very high bar.
“He can come in and play well, and when they’re all playing well he can slot in there, but when they’re struggling he’s not one who’s going to make the difference.
“Now De Bruyne is leaving, they’re going to be looking at real top-level players to come in.
“Even with the options they’ve already got he’s not very high up the pecking order.
“So I don’t think Guardiola will look at him as somebody who can get regular minutes next season.
“There was a lot of interest in January which I hear has not gone away, so if one of those clubs makes a move for him, I expect he will leave.”
Morgan Gibbs-White update emerges at Nottingham Forest
One of City’s leading options to replace De Bruyne is England international Morgan Gibbs-White, who has enjoyed an outstanding season at the City Ground.
Brown told Football Insider that Man City will hold talks with Nottingham Forest to assess what it would take to land the midfielder before making a move.
Guardiola is said to have been impressed by Gibbs-White’s performances at Forest and he would represent a different style to the outgoing De Bruyne.
However, Brown told Football Insider that Forest want Gibbs-White to sign a contract extension and commit his future to the club.
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