Manchester City midfielder, James McAtee, could be the club’s ideal alternative to reported transfer target, Gabri Veiga.
Recent weeks have seen the Citizens being linked with a move for the Celta Vigo midfielder, who also has the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool looking at him.
However, we feel that the Manchester club already have a player on their books that could be a useful alternative to launching a transfer move for the 21-year-old, who apparently has a €40m (£34m) release clause in his current contract.
McAtee could be ideal Veiga alternative
Rather than spend the money to bring Veiga to the Etihad Stadium, we feel that it could be worth giving the 20-year-old his first shot of being involved in the senior squad for a full campaign.
Last season saw the Englishman spend his time on loan at Sheffield United where he helped the Blades win promotion back to the Premier League.
In fact, the midfielder ended up scoring nine goals and delivering three assists in 37 Championship appearances.
To compare that with Veiga, he scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 36 La Liga games last season, which is presumably one of the reasons why he has a number of England’s top clubs looking to sign him.
Given the similar number of goal contributions the pair delivered last season, this shows why McAtee and his experience of playing in England could make him an ideal and cheaper alternative for City and Pep Guardiola to call upon rather than signing the Celta star.
Described by journalist Jonathan Smith as a player that has “outstanding quality,” the Englishman could end up being the surprise package at City next season if he ends up playing a regular part in their campaign and is able to fit into Guardiola’s way of thinking.
