The Athletic’s Sam Lee reports that James McAtee was tempted by a move to Aston Villa – and three other European clubs – before he chose to sign a new contract at Manchester City. A chat with Txiki Begiristain swayed McAtee.
McAtee, 19, has broken into Manchester City’s senior side this season after sparkling in the club’s Under-23 side. He has scored a huge 19 goals in 20 appearances for the second string, and laid on five assists from midfield.
Those incredible stats are said to have attracted interest from Aston Villa – as well as Belgian champions Club Brugge, PSV Eindhoven and Graham Potter’s Brighton. But in the end, McAtee has penned a new City deal.
McAtee put pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at City until June 2026. Begiristain convinced McAtee that staying at City was the best place for his development. He will be looking to add to his three senior outings this term.
But the report does state that permanent and loan offers from those interested were ‘so tempting’. So much so, that the two-time England Under-20 ace almost chose to turn down the offer of a new deal at The Etihad.
McAtee tempted by Villa: Is Manchester City best place for him?
It is an interesting one. Many players have left City at McAtee’s age to pursue a quicker path into the first team – but the obvious example if Phil Foden. He has stayed, remained patient, and then broke in.
Now, Foden is an England regular and a crucial part of City’s attack. He did not even go on loan when clubs showed interest, and pundits were calling for Pep Guardiola to let him go. But it paid off and Foden is a superstar.
Would McAtee have got more game time at the likes of Villa and Brighton? Without a doubt, but they do not offer the potential platform to allow McAtee to become the next Foden. Manchester City, obviously, do.
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