‘James McAtee will not be a Man City player next season’
James McAtee is not expected to remain a Man City player beyond the summer transfer window and a number of sides have been put on alert by his availability.
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 Pep Guardiola has given the green light for the 22-year-old’s departure.
With just 297 Premier League minutes played, McAtee has featured the least out of any City player to make more than ten appearances so far this season.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that McAtee is not part of Guardiola’s plans for the future and the boss is prepared to sanction his exit this summer.
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.
Football Insider revealed in November that City are prepared to let McAtee leave in the summer, despite being reluctant to accept January offers.
James McAtee to quit Man City as clubs line up offers
Brown told Football Insider in March that City are open to offers for McAtee despite his increased role in the first-team squad following the January transfer window.
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, has insisted the midfielder is not considered good enough to ever be a first-team regular at City.
“It’s unlikely he’s ever going to nail down his place in this Man City team,” he told Football Insider.
“That’s no disrespect for him, but I think they have doubts about whether he’s at that level.
“But that’s not to say he can’t do it for another top side if they’re interested and prepared to make a move when the transfer window opens.
“From what I hear, there’s no shortage of interest in him.
“I can see clubs making a move this summer, but where he’ll go is uncertain at the moment.
“He certainly won’t be a Man City player next season.”
Kevin de Bruyne update emerges at the Etihad
Speculation about McAtee’s future has accelerated after De Bruyne confirmed he would be leaving the club, with City already eyeing potential replacements.
Brown told Football Insider on 26 April that De Bruyne is likely to move abroad rather than staying in the Premier League, with a number of clubs interested.
A return to the Bundesliga or move to the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer is considered more likely at this stage.
This comes after Football Insider revealed De Bruyne would have to take a pay cut to remain in England as clubs will not match the money on offer from Saudi and MLS teams.
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