Manchester City Have Finally Decided To Sell This 22 Year Old: Why Is It A Good Decision? | OneFootball

James McAtee enjoyed a sweet summer with England Under-21s, lifting the European title as captain, but his future at Manchester City is looking increasingly bleak. The Etihad, brimming with talent, has left the young midfielder in a corner. The recent arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki have only pushed him further down the pecking order. Instead of progressing within the team, McAtee has had to watch from the sidelines as his options disappear. The situation doesn’t come as a surprise, but it does hurt for a kid who came up through the club’s youth ranks.

Manchester City Have Finally Decided To Sell James McAtee

PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 22: James McAtee of Manchester City is challenged by Lucas Hernandez of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City at Parc des Princes on January 22, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

According to Football Insider, talks have already taken place, and all signs point to a quick exit. Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are strong candidates in England, while several German clubs have also shown interest. Stefan Borson, the Citizens’ former financial adviser, has explained that McAtee has a market, low wages and a desire to play.

With only one year left on his contract, logic dictates that a transfer should be completed soon. City, with a loaded squad and players who do not fit into Guardiola’s plans, need to lighten the load and make some cash. There is talk of £25m, a figure that the club could pocket without much hindrance.

Borson said: “The squad is now bloated and, like many of the other teams, these are players where a lot of them are on decent money. McAtee will be on obviously the lower end wage-wise, but he’s one that can be sold quite quickly now. He’s a player that there is a lot of demand. His wage expectations will not be excessive for the clubs that he’s speaking to, the German clubs, for example, and you know the reality is he’s not going to play for City anymore. He went with the Under-21s rather than to the Club World Cup, so I think it’s the end of the road.  I do think City missed an opportunity to test him more last season when they were in their very poor period, when they lost, however many games it was.

City missed an opportunity to give him some real game time at that point because he’s obviously a talented player.  You don’t captain the England Under-21s to win if you’re not a talented player, and you don’t have the level of interest from the other clubs that he’s got if you’re not a talented player.  I think it’s slightly disappointing that City didn’t really give him a bit more game time, but it’s water under the bridge now, and he will leave. I think City will get their £25million and bank the profit.  They have already probably invested that profit, expecting it to come in due course.”

Opinion:

This decision, though inevitable, is not without debate. Guardiola has prioritised squad depth and experience in every line. In that situation, McAtee, despite his talent, was left out. His absence at the Club World Cup while playing for the Under-21s was a clear message. City no longer saw him as part of their immediate future. Arguably, the club missed the opportunity to test him during the weakest months of last season.

Instead of gambling on his growth, they chose other options. Still, from a practical point of view, the decision makes sense. City need space, money and balance. McAtee, for his part, needs minutes, support and freedom. In that clash of needs, the exit becomes the only viable way forward. Although it may seem sour to some, elite football rarely waits. The boy has quality, character and suitors. It’s not all about losing. Sometimes letting go is also a way to win.