By Wayne Veysey

8th Nov, 2021 | 10:54am

Sources: Man City confident of agreeing McAtee deal in blow to Liverpool and Man United

Man City are confident of agreeing a new contract with in-demand rising star James McAtee, Football Insider has learned.

The teen sensation, 19, is tipped as the next Etihad Stadium breakthrough talent with the potential to follow in the footsteps of Phil Foden.

A City source has told Football Insider the Premier League champions now expect to secure McAtee to a new and improved deal.

This site revealed in May of this year that City had opened talks with the young midfielder amid links with Man United, Liverpool and Barcelona.

McAtee has 18 months left on his first professional contract, which was signed in July 2020.

City coaches believe McAtee has the potential to match the stunning first-team exploits of England star Phil Foden.

After graduating from City’s academy, Foden is now an established starter under Pep Guardiola.

It is hoped McAtee, who has one first-team appearance to date, can follow in Foden’s footsteps after making a big impact at age-group level.

Guardiola handed McAtee his first-team debut on September 21st in a 6-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Cup.

Speaking to club media after his bow, McAtee said: “It was just a buzz. When I came on, I was smiling the whole way through.”

The midfielder has been in scintillating form for City’s Under-23s in Premier League 2 this season.

He has contributed 10 goals and two assists in 10 appearances in the division.

In his five cup appearances he is also averaging a goal every 90 minutes.

In other news, a pundit has lambasted six ‘rubbish’ Man United big names who ‘never do enough’.