Manchester City are facing their toughest period under Pep Guardiola and risk losing one of their brightest young talents, James McAtee, in January, as interest from Premier League and European clubs grows.
City have managed just one win in their last 13 games across all competitions, marking their worst run of form since Guardiola’s arrival in 2016. On Boxing Day, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at the Etihad Stadium. Bernardo Silva’s opener was canceled out by Iliman Ndiaye, and Erling Haaland missed a crucial penalty, leaving City seventh in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
City’s hopes of defending their Premier League title after four consecutive triumphs appear slim. They next face Leicester at the King Power Stadium, their final game of 2024, before the January transfer window opens.
Speculation surrounds potential player movements at City, with McAtee reportedly seeking a move for regular playing time. According to The Daily Telegraph, the 22-year-old midfielder has made eight appearances this season, scoring once, but has featured only twice as a substitute in the Premier League.
Despite City’s high regard for McAtee, the player is eager for more minutes to boost his chances of featuring in England’s European Under-21 Championship squad this summer. Premier League clubs such as West Ham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace, alongside European sides like Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Bologna, and Fiorentina, are said to be monitoring his situation.
With just 18 months remaining on McAtee’s contract, January or the summer may be City’s last opportunity to secure a significant transfer fee for the academy graduate.
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