Man City worried about transfer interest in ‘Salford Silva’ James McAtee with Man Utd and Liverpool ready to pounce
MANCHESTER CITY are growing increasingly uneasy over interest in the Etihad wonderboy who has been dubbed the Salford Silva.
James McAtee, who made his debut in September’s 6-1 Carabao Cup win over Wycombe, is rated as one of the jewels in the academy.
But the 19-year-old midfielder, who is being compared to a young version of City legend David Silva, has still to sign the new contract on offer.
Fellow youngsters Cole Palmer and Liam Delap recently penned new deals until 2026 after stepping up to the seniors, but McAtee has yet to commit.
Despite having 18 months left on his current terms, City wanted to tie him down to a long-term deal, on around £8,000 a week.
But the talks are said to be more complicated as McAtee has interested admirers at both Manchester United and Liverpool.
McAtee is an England U20 international, who hit a hat-trick against United in a 4-2 win for the under-23s at the start of the season.
City snubbed overtures from Brighton in the summer, and concerns he may not sign have not yet reached crisis point.
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But Pep Guardiola would like his future sorted sooner rather than later, after claiming there are four or five kids who could follow in Phil Foden’s footsteps over the next couple of years.
Man City hit a snag in their title defence this afternoon when they were defeated 2-0 by Patrick Vieira's resurgent Crystal Palace side.
Aymeric Laporte was also sent off for a last-man foul on Wilfried Zaha and tensions almost boiled over as the players clashed at the half time whistle.
City are third and slipped to five points behind title rivals Chelsea, who are top of the league on 25 points.
It caps off a bad week for the Premier League champions, who were beaten on penalties by West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
They'll have the chance to bounce back against rivals Man Utd at Old Trafford on Saturday, who beat Spurs tonight to close the gap on City to just three points.
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