West Ham United will reportedly look to sign 22-year-old English playmaker James McAtee from Manchester City to replace Lucas Paqueta.
According to a report by The Sun, James McAtee is the subject of interest from West Ham United. The Manchester City prospect has earned the moniker ‘Salford Silva’ “because he is similar in style and imagination to David Silva”. Meanwhile, the Premier League champions will likely part ways with the English attacker for around £20 million as the Hammers eye a long-term replacement for Lucas Paqueta.
James McAtee and his frustrating Manchester City spell
James McAtee has had to bide his time since breaking into the first-team squad at Manchester City. A native of Salford, the Englishman spent his formative years with Manchester City and has been with the Premier League bigwigs for over a decade.
The youngster made his first-team bow for Manchester City as an 18-year-old in September 2021 but has managed only 429 minutes of game time across 13 appearances in all competitions thus far for his boyhood club. Instead, McAtee’s best phase has come during his two loan spells with Sheffield United, with the player turning out 75 times for the Blades.
The summer transfer window produced links with several Premier League clubs before Manchester City decided to keep hold of the 22-year-old English attacker. However, the young prospect, who has earned the moniker of ‘Salford Silva’ due to similarities to City legend David Silva, has managed only 311 minutes of game time in six outings thus far this term.
What next?
It is hardly surprising that James McAtee faces an uncertain future at Manchester City, even though Pep Guardiola rates him highly. Recent reports have claimed that the Englishman is mulling over leaving Manchester City in the January transfer window and might soon hold showdown talks with the club’s decision-makers. Meanwhile, he has emerged as a target for West Ham United.
West Ham United’s interest in McAtee is understandable. Lucas Paqueta faces an uncertain future at the London Stadium due to a betting scandal. So, West Ham might dip into the market for a long-term replacement, with the Manchester City prospect emerging as a viable target. Meanwhile, the youngster will not cost a bomb, and a deal worth £20 million might be possible.
West Ham should not have any qualms about coughing up £20 million to sign the ‘Salford Silva’ from Manchester City, especially if they sell Paqueta next year. With the 22-year-old English attacker showing promising signs in the Premier League during his spell with Sheffield United, the Hammers will fancy his prospects at the London Stadium.
