Pep Guardiola is reportedly open to keeping James McAtee at Manchester City next season.
After completing his loan spell at Sheffield United last season, it was reported that the Yorkshire club have made an approach to Txiki Begiristain over potentially securing a new deal for McAtee, as well as Tommy Doyle, who also spent the previous season on loan at Bramall Lane.
Now, some extra behind-the-scenes details have come to light regarding Guardiola’s current stance on one of the two loaned-out players.
Guardiola open to McAtee staying next season
According to a recent report from The Star, Guardiola is “minded” to keep McAtee at the Etihad Stadium next season, leaving Doyle being United’s most likely option in terms of landing a new deal for.
With 89 appearances under his belt for City’s youth sides, across which he has scored 46 goals and provided 29 assists, the 20-year-old has also made six senior appearances for the Manchester club.
During his time with the Blades last season, McAtee started 27 of the 43 games he appeared in, finding the net nine times and delivering four assists, helping the club win promotion back to the Premier League and into the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Across his 37 Championship appearances, the Englishman ended the campaign with the third-highest number of progressive carries (82) in the United squad, showing how positive and attack-minded he is with the ball at his feet.
With all of that in mind, and the fact that Guardiola named McAtee as one of the “exceptional” players City have had come through their youth ranks in recent years, it’s easy to see why the City boss is thinking about keeping the youngster in his senior squad for next season.
