Manchester City were left rueing a costly transfer mistake last summer following their decision to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea after the star had pushed for a move away due to a lack of game time.
The Citizens could find themselves in the same situation a year on if James McAtee believes he would be better off seeking his fame and fortune elsewhere. And Liverpool could be the team to take advantage if McAtee does run out of patience.
McAtee progressed through the City academy after joining the club in 2013 and made his first-team debut as a substitute in a 6-1 Carabao Cup thumping of Wycombe in September 2021.
But the 21-year-old spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, helping the team win promotion from the Championship before they suffered relegation from the Premier League.
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McAtee is part of City’s squad for their pre-season tour in the USA and featured on Tuesday evening as his side lost 4-3 to Celtic. But if he does stick around at the Etihad Stadium, he is unlikely to be a regular starter.
Instead of sitting on the bench until Guardiola is ready to unleash him, McAtee could demand a move away this summer to kick-start his career with a Premier League rival.
Three years ago, the Daily Mail reported that Liverpool were among a raft of clubs showing an interest in the young midfielder. And the Reds could pounce for him as new boss Arne Slot looks to put his stamp on the team after succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout.
As a City academy graduate, it isn’t surprising that McAtee has outstanding technical abilities. But he is also versatile and displays maturity on the pitch, credentials that could help him succeed in the demanding Anfield environment.
And his prowess on the ball could ease the burden on Mohamed Salah, with Slot surely having one eye on finding a long-term replacement for the Egypt international.
McAtee actually spent time training with the Liverpool academy as a seven-year-old. And last year he told The Athletic: “Liverpool released me as well. It was some stupid nonsense.
“I went to a training thing for a week. They released me, then two weeks later asked me to come back. I was seven or something.”
But City could take some convincing to sanction a move after Palmer bagged 22 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League for Chelsea last season following his move.
And following City’s clash with Celtic, Guardiola explained: “I’d love to have James McAtee and to keep him next season. He’s special guy to play in small spaces, in the pockets, we don’t have many. I’ve a high, high opinion of McAtee and I also know his huge potential.”
