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Rangers now hope to beat Steven Gerrard to sign ‘next Phil Foden’ before deadline

Photo by Lynne Cameron/Manchester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Lynne Cameron/Manchester City FC via Getty Images
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: James McAtee of Manchester City looks back during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Everton at Etihad Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Rangers are eyeing an ambitious move to bring Manchester City teenager James McAtee to Ibrox after securing Amad Diallo from Manchester United.

That’s according to a report from TEAMtalk, who claim that Rangers want McAtee to follow Diallo up to Glasgow from Manchester.

On Thursday afternoon, Rangers secured Diallo on loan from United until the end of the season, bolstering their attacking options.

Diallo is a huge coup for Rangers, and McAtee would be the same if the Gers can pull off a second impressive deal.

Reports from The Mirror earlier this week suggested that City were closing in on a new deal for McAtee.

Now inside the final 18 months of his deal, City don’t want to sell McAtee, so any move to Rangers would surely be a loan deal.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is close friends with Pep Guardiola and now hopes that relationship helps facilitate a deal.

The report notes that Southampton, Brighton, Aston Villa and Leicester City have all expressed an interest in McAtee.

That means that Rangers can pull off a major transfer coup over Steven Gerrard if they can get a deal sorted this month.

McAtee, 19, has racked up a ridiculous 14 goals and four assists in 15 Premier League 2 games this season, shining for City’s youngsters.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03:  James
McAtee of Manchester City during the UEFA Youth League match between Manchester City and Club Brugge KV at The Academy Stadium on November 03, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images

McAtee did also make a brief Premier League debut against Everton in December, jinking past players with such skill and freedom that Gary Neville compared him to David Silva.

The teenager has even been dubbed ‘the next Phil Foden’ – that’s just how highly McAtee is rated at City, hence the push for a new deal.

Even a loan deal would be massive for Rangers, as McAtee can provide a goal threat and real creativity from a number 10 role.

Stick McAtee behind a front three of Diallo, Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent and Rangers could be very dangerous for the rest of the season.

If Rangers can somehow do a permanent deal for McAtee, this would have the potential to be one of their most exciting signings in years.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 24: James McAtee of Manchester City warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League group A match between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain at Etihad Stadium on November 24, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty - Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Matt McNulty – Manchester City/Manchester City FC via Getty Images