Manchester City could cash in on another academy star despite Cole Palmer's regrets.
The reigning Premier League champions have raked in lucrative sums for their own stars in recent years: Palmer, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Liam Delap, earning them millions. And while Palmer's £42.5m move to Chelsea seems slightly out of place at this stage, it hasn't stopped City from selling their brightest young stars.
Midfielder James McAtee could be the next to say goodbye to the Etihad Stadium. The 22-year-old midfielder started his professional career with City and went on to make fifteen first-team appearances.
McAtee has also impressed during two loan spells at Sheffield United, initially helping the Blades to promotion before their return to the Championship last season. And he could now be on the road permanently.
According to MailOnline, a number of clubs are keeping an eye on the young midfielder as he reaches the final 18 months of his contract. So far, City have not had any new talks about a contract extension.
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly emerging as one of the favorites for his signature, while Red Bull Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Bologna and Fiorentina are admirers. There is also interest in the Premier League from Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brentford and Crystal Palace.
McAtee shone in his most recent appearance for City as they beat Leicester 2-0 and boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise. He said: “He is a player from a generation we had at Manchester City who was incredible; Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis… That's where incredible, incredible players came from, and Macca is one of this generation. He was the captain of this generation.
“That's why, when I said to Txiki (Begiristain), and I know it's unfair to say 1735579423 because, “Ah, you asked him to stay after not giving him the minutes he deserved,” that's fair. It's right! But I always had the feeling that boy could play with us. He could play.
“I am very happy for him because he is an incredibly nice guy, has trained very well, has never had one bad face, and he has won these minutes. It's simple. All players, if you want to ask something, on the green! The green is where you show your best, and Macca has proven that.
“There is no doubt; not only today, but also in the past. There are things that sometimes feel unfair. Sometimes in the situation we live in, you always feel like giving responsibility to senior players, not to youngsters.
“But sometimes older players have more pressure than young players who have nothing to defend. They just want to conquer the world… And I had the feeling before the match that if I had to make a substitution today, James would be the first. I felt it. He can play on the wing, in the pocket, as a striker…
“What I am most happy with is that every action has been good! He didn't take any wrong action! “In the position he was in, I think he grew up a lot defensively in Sheffield, it made him so mature.”
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