Manchester City Prepare to Offload £25m Star This Summer | OneFootball

James McAtee Set for Manchester City Exit as Club Targets PSR Profit

Profit Focus Drives Summer Decision

Manchester City’s meticulous approach to squad management is once again under the spotlight, as the club prepares to sell homegrown midfielder James McAtee. According to Football Insider, City are set to cash in on the 21-year-old in a deal that makes perfect financial sense for the Premier League champions.

“Sources have told Football Insider that City will push to agree a transfer for McAtee due to his status as a home-grown academy player, meaning he’ll generate a pure profit from a PSR and FFP perspective.”

It is a detail that highlights the balancing act even the wealthiest clubs must perform. Despite heavy investment in recent windows, City are not immune to the pressures of Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR). McAtee, though rated, is seen as expendable in that context.

Photo: IMAGO

Club Success, but Limited Opportunities

McAtee was not part of City’s Club World Cup squad, a clear sign of his position in the current hierarchy. The arrivals of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders have further pushed him down the pecking order, despite his strong showings on the international stage. He recently captained England to Under-21 European Championship success, underlining his pedigree and promise.

However, City’s midfield is stacked with depth, and game time has always been scarce for emerging talent. A move away now appears inevitable. As Pete O’Rourke reported on Football Insider, “It could be a good deal for City to let him go, having spent quite heavily in the last couple of transfer windows.”

With a fee of £25 million or more expected to tempt City, there is no shortage of interest in McAtee’s services. Clubs in England and abroad are monitoring developments closely.

Bundesliga Move Could Unlock Potential

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has backed a switch to Germany, suggesting McAtee could follow the successful paths of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham. The Bundesliga has become a proving ground for young English players, and McAtee’s game intelligence and ball control would be well-suited to the league’s demands.

“McAtee transfer could be agreed soon amid Bundesliga interest,” Football Insider noted, and a quick resolution now looks likely given City’s transfer spending and their intent to streamline the squad.

Photo: IMAGO

With £300 million spent across the last two windows, including the additions of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli, exits are necessary. Homegrown players like McAtee provide the kind of financial flexibility required to stay within regulations while funding future incomings.

Tough Call, but Calculated Strategy

City’s decision to sell a talented academy product will not sit well with all supporters, but the logic is clear. Pep Guardiola has constructed a side built around global elite performers, and while McAtee has clear potential, his route into the first team remains blocked.

“Football Insider sources have said that Guardiola will most likely cash in on him,” with the club now prioritising both short-term reinforcements and long-term compliance with FFP.

This is not a failure of development, but a recognition of timing. McAtee’s value is at a peak following his Under-21 Euros exploits. For City, it is a financially sound move. For McAtee, it could be the step his career needs.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester City fans, this is one of those deals that stings for emotional reasons, but makes complete strategic sense. James McAtee is a City boy through and through, and it is always disappointing to see homegrown talent leave without getting a full crack at the first team.

But supporters have seen the club handle these situations before. The reality is that City’s squad is stacked with proven midfielders. McAtee would have to displace multiple international stars to get regular minutes. That is a tall order for any young player.

Selling him for £25 million or more, especially when he counts as pure profit under PSR rules, allows City to reinvest where needed. It is not about losing talent. It is about operating with intelligence in a financial system that penalises excess, even at the top end.

If McAtee shines elsewhere, fans will cheer him on. And if City use that money to land a difference-maker in another area of the pitch, few will argue. The academy is doing its job, even when players move on.