Manchester City are currently working on trimming down Pep Guardiola’s squad.
The Spanish coach made it clear that he does not want to work with a big group ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, while the Manchester club also need to trim down the number of non-homegrown players they have to comply with Champions League regulations.
Players such as Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips will be hard to move on, which is why James McAtee is Man City’s main focus at present, given the level of interest in the midfielder.
That sale has just got a little more complicated, as the Englishman has just made a decision on his future that is a lot different from his original plan.
James McAtee wants to remain in the Premier League
It was previously reported that McAtee was open to a move to the Bundesliga this summer, as a move to Germany would offer him regular Champions League football and crucial development time.
McAtee even travelled to Germany recently to meet with Eintracht Frankfurt, but whatever happened on that trip has caused the 22-year-old to do a U-turn on these plans.
Ben Jacobs has stated that McAtee could now remain at Man City ahead of the 25/26 season, while Sky Sports are reporting that the Englishman now plans to stay in the Premier League.
The report states that the Man City player has rejected a move abroad amid interest from clubs in Germany and Italy, as he now prefers to stay in England.
Man City still want £40m to part ways with McAtee this summer, but the club will not be happy about this decision, as it was more beneficial to the Manchester outfit that the 22-year-old moved to the Bundesliga rather than join another Premier League club.
Nottingham Forest now looks to be McAtee’s most likely destination, as the English side are already in talks with the midfielder over a move.
Man City closing in on the signing of Freddie Lawrie
It was reported in June that Man City were also close to adding Freddie Lawrie to their youth ranks, who will move to Manchester once his scholarship forms expire at Aston Villa.
Sky Sports have now provided an update on this transfer by reporting that it has moved a step closer, with the youngster expected to complete his move soon.
The 16-year-old is most commonly deployed in central midfield, but has also operated at centre-back for his national team.
Aston Villa were keen on keeping Lawrie; however, they have lost out to Man City, who have signed one of England’s top talents and will now have to pay their fellow Premier League side compensation for the midfielder.
