Man City secure crucial contract extension for highly-rated midfield starlet

Samuel Bannister 02 Feb 2022 7:39 PM

Manchester City have confirmed a new long-term contract for in-demand midfield starlet James McAtee.

McAtee was the subject of plenty of interest in the January transfer window. Rangers were among a number of clubs looking to take him on loan, as we exclusively reported. He also had several suitors south of the border.

Ultimately, all parties decided it was best for McAtee to stay and keep learning under Pep Guardiola. The manager has given him three appearances, spread across three different competitions, so far.

But after turning down several loan proposals, interest in McAtee remained. A recent report named Brighton, Aston Villa and Leicester City as clubs monitoring his development.

Their interest was on the basis that there were only 18 months left on McAtee’s contract. But now, City have secured his services for the long-term – in which they think he can play a big part.

Extending his deal by three years compared to his previous terms, City have tied McAtee down until 2026.

The 19-year-old told his club’s website: “This is a really proud moment in my career, and I am so grateful to the Club for showing their faith in me.

“I’ve been here since I was 11 and I can’t thank everyone enough for everything they have done for me.

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“I have worked with some brilliant coaches in the Academy, who have put me in a position to be able to train and play with Pep Guardiola and the first team, which is all I’ve ever wanted to do.

“I’ve been really pleased with my progress this season and I am sure I am in the right place to keep improving, so it feels amazing to know I will be a Manchester City player for another four years.”

James McAtee continues Man City contract spree

At under-23 level, McAtee has scored 14 goals from 15 games in the Premier League 2 this season. He also has four from three in the UEFA Youth League for the under-19s.

He has followed a number of young prospects in signing long-term deals with City recently.

And at a more senior level, they confirmed a significant extension for full-back Joao Cancelo this week. The defender will now commit his prime years to the club, who he feels are the perfect place to be.

Reports have revealed they also plan to speak to attacking midfielders Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva to ward off interest from La Liga. The pair have both been linked with Barcelona.

Sterling’s terms expire in 2023 and he would be open to playing abroad. Bernardo, meanwhile, is under contract until 2025 but talks are underway over an extension.

Manchester City James McAtee