Ajax want Man City talent if West Ham sign Kudus | OneFootball

Eredivisie giants Ajax have set their sights on Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 20-year-old is a contingency plan for Ajax as Mohammed Kudus’ departure gathers pace this summer.

The Dutch outfit’s interest in McAtee is more than mere speculation, as Ajax have reached out to Man City to gauge their demands for the young midfielder.

Although City hold McAtee in high regard, the opportunity for development and regular game time elsewhere could sway his decision.

Having honed his skills within Man City’s youth system, McAtee’s prowess as a creative spark and a goalscoring threat is undeniable.

The midfielder showcased his talents with an eye-catching goal against Bayern Munich during City’s pre-season campaign last month.

McAtee was excellent during his loan stint with Sheffield United last season, bagging nine goals and three assists in 37 appearances to help them win promotion.

With Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden ahead of him in the pecking order, McAtee may feel his future lies elsewhere.

Ajax’s keen interest indicates the potential for a fresh chapter in his career trajectory.

The impending departure of Mohammed Kudus has given Ajax a headache, although all of the dominos are yet to fall into place.

This deal hinges on Man City successfully securing the services of Lucas Paqueta from West Ham.

This triangular transfer dance, involving Kudus, Paqueta and McAtee could culminate in an intriguing trio of transfers.

Manchester City’s ongoing pursuit of Paqueta, priced at around €80 million, dovetails with Ajax’s delicate negotiation with Kudus and the potential addition of McAtee to their ranks.