Manchester City prodigy James McAtee is reportedly attracting interest from a host of European clubs and could be on the move this summer.
According to Spanish publication MARCA, La Liga giants Villarreal have joined the list of clubs interested in signing Manchester City’s young attacking midfielder James McAtee on a loan deal this summer. The 19-year-old is being targeted by many other Premier League and La Liga clubs.
McAtee rose through the ranks at Manchester City after joining them in 2013 before making his first-team debut for Pep Guardiola’s side last season. He played a total of six games for the club across all competitions, including one in the UEFA Champions League against Sporting Lisbon.
The teenage prodigy was in supreme form for the club’s under-23 side last season, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in 23 league appearances for them. McAtee’s qualities were also on show in the UEFA Youth League, where he scored four times and assisted one goal in three matches.
McAtee’s first-team displays were impressive, even though he failed to score a goal or get an assist, resulting in widespread interest. Manchester City, too, could be inclined towards sending the teenager out on loan to a club where he would get regular game time to continue his progress in the upcoming season.
As many as four La Liga clubs – Rayo Vallecano, Valencia CF, Getafe CF and UD Almeria – have previously shown interest in the Manchester City prodigy, and Villarreal have now joined that list. The Yellow Submarine will have to fend off interest from many Premier League clubs for McAtee’s signature.
As per the report, the likes of Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth are all interested in getting the 19-year-old attacking midfielder on board. Scottish giants Rangers have been linked with the youngster as well.
Manchester City will reportedly only want to send McAtee out on loan to an English club in the summer transfer window so that he can get ready for life in the Premier League. The 19-year-old is versatile enough to play as a central midfielder and a left winger as well.