Manchester City midfielder left smiling in response to transfer links to two “very big clubs” | OneFootball

James McAtee appeared to react somewhat positively when quizzed on the possibility of transfer interest from the Netherlands during a recent interview.

The 22-year-old has seen his opportunities largely limited so far this season, despite registering his first goal for Manchester City’s senior team since being promoted into Pep Guardiola’s set-up at the start of the campaign.

McAtee returned to Manchester City following back-to-back loan agreements with Sheffield United, playing an integral role in their promotion to the Premier League, but also succumbing to immediate relegation in the following season.

Given his reduced opportunities in comparison to the expectations at the start of the season, media speculation has already started to swirl with regards to transfer interest from within the Premier League.

But despite conversation centring around the likes of West Ham United and Fulham in recent days, questions put to McAtee directly during the international break focussed on Eredivisie interest first sparked during the last summer transfer window.

Speaking to Voetbal Primeur, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City midfielder James McAtee was quizzed on recent transfer links to Dutch giants, Ajax and Feyenoord.

“I don’t know. I’ve seen them play,” McAtee admitted. “They are very big clubs and play good football.”

Upon being further pressed on whether such clubs would be a great for him in order to take the next step in his top-level career, the Manchester City playmaker explained, “I’m not too sure mate. I don’t know [with a smile].”

It remains to be seen how many more opportunities James McAtee may be granted during the rest of the campaign, with City appearing to be recovering from a manic injury situation that heavily contributed to four successive defeats prior to the international break.

The Premier League champions are already ruled out of the Carabao Cup conversation due to their fourth round exit at the hands of Tottenham last month, and as such McAtee may have to wait until the return of the FA Cup in January before he can find himself back in the picture.

City return to match action on Saturday evening when they welcome Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham to the Etihad Stadium for a contest that will also be preceded by Rodri’s homecoming following his historic Ballon d’Or success.