Pep Guardiola holds James McAtee transfer stance as Manchester City position revealed amid Florian Wirtz interest | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola is hopeful of keeping James McAtee at Manchester City next season but the club would sanction a sale should the player push for an exit, according to reports.

The 22-year-old has played 708 senior minutes in 21 outings in all competitions so far this season, with just 123 coming in the Premier League for fourth-placed Manchester City, who are seeking a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League after a disappointing campaign.

McAtee struggled for minutes before Christmas, underlining his chances of securing a starting place in the longer run when he could not get any meaningful playing time at a time when his side were struggling miserably for inspiration in midfield and attack.

However, the Salford-born playmaker has impressed when he has come on in recent months, playing a crucial role to set up Erling Haaland’s goal against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in December.

A hat-trick against Salford City in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad Stadium and his first Premier League goals against Ipswich Town and Newcastle United have also seen James McAtee’s stock rise since the turn of the year.

Pep Guardiola was keen to keep hold of McAtee in January when there was transfer interest, owing partially to Manchester City’s depleted numbers and a stark lack of options for the Blues in midfield positions.

As per a new report by journalist Ben Jacobs, Pep Guardiola is against a summer sale for James McAtee, who has been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen – who employ Manchester City’s number one attacking midfield target for the summer, Florian Wirtz.

Manchester City are happy with James McAtee’s development this season and believe he will play a bigger role in seasons to come – a path exemplified by Phil Foden and more recently the currently injured Oscar Bobb.

However, the club would reluctantly agree to a sale should McAtee request his boyhood side allow him to leave and pursue regular first-team football elsewhere – a route most recently taken by Cole Palmer, who is now of the most feared attackers in England and Europe.