‘Pep Guardiola is making a huge mistake – Everton could benefit’
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could be making a huge mistake in the transfer market with Everton primed to benefit.
Last week (2 July), Football Insider exclusively revealed that James McAtee is set to leave the Etihad on a permanent basis.
McAtee started just three Premier League games for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, featuring for a total of just 342 minutes throughout the course of the campaign.
The recent arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have pushed the 22-year-old even further down the pecking order.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that letting McAtee go could be a big mistake from City.
Man City set to make ‘Cole Palmer’ mistake with McAtee
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Guardiola should re-evaluate whether allowing McAtee to leave is the best idea, as it could be a repeat of the Cole Palmer situation.
City have been left to regret letting Palmer join Chelsea back in the summer of 2023, as the 23-year-old has been scintillating over the last two seasons.
Wyness added that he expects there to be a number of clubs interested in McAtee.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think there’ll be huge interest in McAtee, I really like this player.
“Pep didn’t really give him a big run during last season when I think he could have because there were some things misfiring. I think McAtee could have been the answer.
“But then again, Pep may now have second thoughts himself. I think he’s a real talent and he’d be one of those that would be another mistake.
“Man City have let quite a few go who have come through their academy. I hope he’s another one that slips through the net and comes to Everton.
“If not, I think there’ll be an auction for him, and I do think he’ll go if City decide to let him. But again, Pep may have had second thoughts.”
Newcastle plan to accept £80m Livramento offer
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Newcastle United are extremely reluctant to entertain offers for Tino Livramento this summer but would cash in at their new sky-high asking price.
In an attempt to ward off interest, the Magpies have set an £80million asking price for the right-back amid claims it would take an “astronomical” fee to let him go.
This comes after former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle are demanding “crazy” money to sell Livramento.
The England international, who played a major role in England Under-21s’ Euros success, is high on Man City’s list of targets to replace Kyle Walker, but a deal will be difficult.
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