Pep Guardiola wants a young midfielder to stay at the club but the final decision may be out of Pep’s hands | OneFootball

One player who showed against Crystal Palace last weekend that he could have a role to play in Manchester City’s future is James McAtee. McAtee scored one goal last weekend in City’s 5-2 win at the Etihad. On another day he could’ve scored a hat trick. But he did show that his goal sense, talent and versatility could be an asset for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola told the media yesterday that he hopes James McAtee remains at the club after the summer transfer window. But that decision may depend on what James McAtee wants to do at the end of this season.

Pep Guardiola was asked during his pre-game press conference ahead of his team’s clash with Everton if he hoped that James McAtee would remain at the club after the summer transfer window. Guardiola explained that he did but he did add that it is a case of waiting to see what would happen this summer. When asked about McAtee’s future, he said: “For the age, I would like him to stay, I understand, the players want more minutes, I understand that. I would like him to stay, he’s an Academy player, he knows the patterns, he’s a lovely person, a lovely guy. He trains really good, plays in different positions. I like him, but with the squad, it’s how we finish, and we will see.”

The decision on James McAtee’s future is likely out of Pep Guardiola’s hands.

At the end of this season, James McAtee will only have 12 months remaining on his current contract. His future appears up in the air as of right now. Pep Guardiola’s comments would be reassuring for James McAtee, but it may come down to what he wants to do with his future, whether or not he remains at Manchester City beyond this season.

Jack Gaughan has reported for the Daily Mail that Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen have an interest in signing McAtee. At this stage of his career, McAtee has to play on a regular basis. Depending on who City sign this summer that may block McAtee from being a regular contributor for Pep Guardiola’s side. If that’s the case with 12 months remaining on his contract he could seek more opportunities at Nottingham Forest, Bayer Leverkusen or elsewhere. But that’s a decision he will have to make come the end of the season.

It’s hard to see City sticking by McAtee and risk losing him for free at the end of next season. They may cash in on the promising young playmaker if he decides he wants more opportunities elsewhere. But if McAtee decided he wanted to remain at City you’d assume a contract extension would come very quickly for him. But that’s a question we won’t know the answer to until this season ends.

It was good to hear Pep Guardiola say that he hopes that James McAtee remains at the club after the summer. It is always good to see players come through the City academy and make it in the first-team. But from here you sense that McAtee controls his own destiny. What he wants to do will dictate whether or not he remains at Manchester City after the summer transfer window.