Leicester City plot surprise summer move for Manchester City midfielder subject to critical condition

Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has emerged as a potential summer transfer target for Leicester City.

The 21-year-old, who has spent the current campaign on a season-long loan with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, is contracted at Manchester City until 2026 but isn’t currently considered as part of Pep Guardiola’s plans for the 2024/25 season.

McAtee has spent successive campaigns at Sheffield United, having helped the Blades to top-flight promotion last season alongside Burnley and Luton Town.

Chris Wilder’s side set look set for a return to the Sky Bet Championship however, with the Yorkshire-based club 10 points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining, and having suffered a 1-4 loss to relegation rivals Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

McAtee has featured in 28 Premier League games for Sheffield United so far this season, scoring three goals and registering three assists, as well as a further three direct goal involvements in the Emirates FA Cup.

The midfielder also made a Premier League appearance for Manchester City earlier this season, featuring as a substitute during August’s 0-3 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.

The England Under-21 international could be set to continue his development in the top-flight next season, with Leicester City plotting a summer move for the midfielder should they achieve Premier League promotion.

Alan Nixon on Patreon reports that the Foxes plan to sign the 21-year-old this summer if they return to the Premier League, with Etihad officials only willing to sanction the loan if McAtee is still playing top-flight football next season.

McAtee has an established relationship with Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, with the Foxes boss having worked on Pep Guardiola’s first-team coaching staff between 2020 and 2023 at the Etihad Stadium.

McAtee wouldn’t be the first City Football Academy star to be signed by Maresca at Leicester, with defender Callum Doyle having moved to the King Power on loan from Manchester City last summer.