Pep Guardiola green-lights deadline-day move for £25m Newcastle United target
Pep Guardiola has left the door open for James McAtee to leave Manchester City this month.
A successful two-year loan spell at Sheffield United put the 22-year-old on the map, with some expecting him to be given game time this season. However, just 84 minutes of Premier League action has seen McAtee’s career reach a crossroads.
His limited opportunities have come despite City’s struggles both domestically and in Europe. Potential suitors were given a reminder of McAtee’s talents when he bagged a stunning hat-trick last month, albeit against League Two side Salford City.
Newcastle have been one club reportedly expressing interest in the England youth international. Capable of playing on the right flank - a target area for the Magpies - or as a No.10, Man City value him at around £25million.
Eddie Howe has a proven track record of developing Three Lions talent to the senior international setup. Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall made their England debuts as Newcastle players.
NewcastleWorld understands the Magpies will not make any knee-jerk reactions in the January window given the tight PSR landscape. Guardiola has, however, admitted that Man City would consider selling the prospect if the deal made sense.
“I don't think so (whether McAtee will leave this month),” he said over the weekend. “We don't have enough players. We have a World Cup at the end of the season. We have a lot of games.
“I think he can play more minutes, and for minutes they have to continue to fight. I'm really pleased with Macca. But at the same time, maybe an offer arrives and they say, 'Listen, we have to sell him’.
“My opinion of Macca. I said to the club, it is really clear. But it's always the club (that decides) and the club has to take resources and sell players and it depends on what happens.”