Man City could accept ‘£35m’ James McAtee offer – Stefan Borson
Manchester City are looking for a fee in the region of £30-35million to consider selling midfielder James McAtee.
That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider the value of young players is continuing to rise following increased interest in the 22-year-old.
McAtee has made four starts in his 14 appearances for Man City this season, where he’s scored five goals.
Football Insider revealed on 27 January Pep Guardiola will not stand in the Etihad academy product’s way if he wants to join Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga giants approached the Premier League champions with a loan-to-buy offer for McAtee.
Man City want significant fee to agree James McAtee sale
“I think what we have got at the amount is the value people are paying for young players is going up in the market,” Borson told Football Insider.
“I think youth is playing a bigger part more so than ever in value. McAtee obviously started Premier League games at Sheffield United in his loan spell, but he’s not started many at City, and the starting price is kind of £30-35million.
“Teams seem to be more interested in paying it. The important thing in that regard is, clearly, as you come down in the overall size of the deal, more teams in Europe are able to afford it. More of the Champions League teams are able to be in the mix.
“If you have got a player who is €70million (£59million), outside of PSG, Bayern Munich and the Premier League clubs, there is almost nobody that can compete.
“When you get to €40million (£33million), at least teams like Dortmund are potentially in the mix.
“There are potentially some teams out of Italy, but even then, you know Juventus have particularly strained finances at the moment. But at least they have got a chance of competing in that market.
“I think that’s what is driving his price.”
In other news, Man City ramp up bid to rival Real Madrid for Joshua Kimmich.
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