Promoted Premier League pair join four-club race to sign Manchester City midfielder in £20 million deal | OneFootball

Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leeds United are all interested in signing Manchester City midfielder James McAtee this summer.

The 21-year-old is subject to emerging interest from the Sky Bet Championship’s top four clubs ahead of next month’s summer transfer window, as Manchester City prepare for McAtee to return to the Etihad Stadium following the conclusion of a season-long loan.

The midfielder spent the 2023/24 campaign with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, as the Blades suffered relegation from the top-flight, with just three Premier League wins all season.

McAtee featured in 31 Premier League matches for Sheffield United, with the England Under-21 international having returned to the Yorkshire club for a second loan spell after winning promotion last year.

The Salford-born midfielder has made seven Manchester City first-team appearances, and featured during the 0-3 win over Burnley at Turf Moor in August for Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Englishman is expected to be sold by the Sky Blues this summer, with further sales from the City Football Academy set to help boost Manchester City’s transfer funds for squad additions ahead of the 2024/25 season.

McAtee could still play Premier League football next season, with promoted pair Leicester City and Ipswich Town both interested in signing the midfielder, alongside Southampton and Leeds United, who clash in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

According to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, all four interested clubs would need to pay £20 million to sign the 21-year-old this summer, as well as agree a ‘hefty’ sell-on and buy-back clause with Etihad officials.

Southampton could make a double swoop from the City Football Academy, with centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis able to permanently sign for the Saints this summer, should they achieve promotion to the top-flight this weekend.

McAtee was directly involved in six Premier League goals for Sheffield United this season, and has also previously worked with Leicester manager Enzo Maresca, with the Italian having left Manchester City for the King Power Stadium last summer.