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Manchester City set to open talks with £25 million-rated midfielder over fresh deal

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Premier League champions Manchester City look set to begin their preparations for the new season by opening talks with highly-rated midfielder James McAtee.

The 20 year-old has completed a hugely impressive loan spell with Sheffield United in the Championship this season, in a deal that played a significant role in earning the Blades a return to the Premier League ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

McAtee – who largely operates as an advanced midfielder – shone during the second-half of the season, contributing nine goals and four assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, averaging a goal or assist ever 158.3 minutes in the Championship.

Such performances in a difficult competition have earned himself the highest of regards within the Etihad Stadium, and those at the club are now seeking to reward McAtee with a fresh contract in the coming weeks and months.

That is according to the Mail’s Simon Jones, who reports that Manchester City are now ready to open talks over a new contract for James McAtee – who is understood to be valued at around £25 million.

While there is widespread interest in one of England’s most exciting young talents from across the Premier League, it is reported that McAtee primarily wants to ‘stake a claim for a first team place’ at City, and has been ‘encouraged’ by Pep Guardiola’s praise for his performances.

Not only is the Salford-born playmaker ‘keen to sign’ a new deal with the Premier League champions, but the Mail also state that he is ‘determined to prove himself worthy of a place’ alongside Pep Guardiola’s current stars – regardless of who they sign this summer.

It is however claimed that as many as eight clubs, in addition Sheffield United, have all expressed their interest in the player should he become available, namely Brighton, Burnley, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford, Wolves and Leeds United.

Manchester City are expected to be in the market for a new midfielder in the coming months, given the uncertainty surrounding up to three first-team players as the summer window approaches.

However, the interest from James McAtee in wanting to prove himself at the club following such an outstanding showing for Sheffield United may give Manchester City transfer chiefs and Pep Guardiola himself plenty of food for thought.

City are understood to be losing the race to sign England international Jude Bellingham as Spanish giants Real Madrid close in on the midfielder, while the likes of Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga are viewed as possible alternatives.

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