James McAtee subject to La Liga interest as Manchester City plot contract extension | OneFootball

Manchester City will reportedly look to extend the contract of James McAtee before making a decision on where the midfielder’s immediate future lies in the game.

The England youth international has returned to the Etihad Stadium following a second-successive season-long loan spell with Sheffield United, representing the Blades in the Premier League after contributing to promotion from the Championship one-year prior.

Despite contributing to a number of goals and assists, the highly-rated nature of McAtee’s talents among Manchester City coaching staff means expectations will be set much higher for the upcoming season, with a big decision subsequently pending.

James McAtee will no doubt not be short of options in the coming weeks and months, but a new question emerging concerns whether the playmaker should remain within the English game or seek opportunities abroad.

According to the information of The Sun, Manchester City want James McAtee to sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium before deciding where he goes next season, with the Premier League champions currently fielding offers for the player.

It is claimed that UEFA Champions League and La Liga side Girona want the 21-year-old on loan for the forthcoming campaign, or on a permanent agreement containing a sell-back clause in favour of Manchester City.

However, such a deal would likely come under scrutiny due to both clubs being part of the City Football Group and competing in the same edition of the Champions League next season.

Girona have brought about plenty of developmental success for some of Manchester City and the City Football Group’s most promising talents in recent seasons, having most-recently contributed to two members of the senior Brazil squad.

Yan Couto is widely expected to become one of the finest right-back talents in the game, although Manchester City seem set on cashing in on the player’s talents this summer, becoming open to a deal in the region of £40 million after his loan spell in La Liga.

Elsewhere and the Premier League champions were keen to capitalise on the form and meteoric rise of City Group starlet Savio, who heavily contributed to the attacking excellence of Girona during a loan spell away from ESTAC Troyes.

Manchester City are understood to have invested in the region of £40 million for the Brazilian winger, and while the player is set to be assessed during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, he is now likely to remain part of Pep Guardiola’s squad for 2024/25.