Pep Guardiola reveals transfer stance on Manchester City’s James McAtee amid Bayer Leverkusen links | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made plain his stance on the future of highly-rated attacking midfield talent, James McAtee.

The rising Manchester City midfielder has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence in the playing squad in 2025 particularly in the FA Cup, while also earning his first start in the Premier League during a 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace.

James McAtee is seemingly having a positive impact on Manchester City’s performances whenever he is granted an opportunity by Pep Guardiola, whether that be through a goal directly or involvement towards a strike.

But with on-field match action still relatively hard to come by on a consistent basis, there remains serious doubt as to whether McAtee will be part of the Manchester City squad beyond this season, with a number of clubs circling for his signature.

It was reported earlier this month that Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen hold a clear interest in the Salford-born playmaker’s services, while Nottingham Forest have admired his performances from afar.

Speaking during a recent press conference, the future of James McAtee appeared in discussion alongside a wide-ranging conversation on the 22-year-old, who could yet emerge as a more important part of the City squad during the final weeks of the season.

“For the age I would like him to stay,” Guardiola insisted, when asked what the future could hold for the two-time Sheffield United loanee. “I understand, the players want more minutes I understand that.”

Pep Guardiola continued, “I would like him to stay, he’s an Academy player, he knows the patterns, he’s a lovely person, a lovely guy. He trains really good, plays in different positions. I like him but with the squad, it’s how we finish and we will see.”

The Manchester City manager also compared McAtee’s sense of goal in and around the penalty area to last season’s Premier League and PFA Player of the Season, Phil Foden.

“Macca has this quality, he could’ve scored four goals (against Crystal Palace). He has the ability to create chances, he is there,” Guardiola told reporters.

“Macca lives close to the box, quite similar to Phil (Foden) and they are there. They have a sense (of goal), it’s difficult to train in the moment the ball is coming and after he didn’t score but it’s fine. As much minutes he plays he will score.”

It remains to be seen just what the future holds for James McAtee and Manchester City, with a conversation still to be had over whether the youngster will feature for the club in the United States this summer at the FIFA Club World Cup.

That comes amid a clash of scheduling between England Under-21s’ European Championship tournament in the off-season and the revamped competition Stateside for City, with talks involving the Premier League club and the Football Association due in the coming weeks.

With Kevin De Bruyne bringing an end to his time at the Etihad Stadium this summer after a decision was taken not to extend his contract, and doubts looming over Bernardo Silva too, the club are overseeing a refresh of their squad with fresh impetus coming into the roster.

And with that refresh could come more opportunities for James McAtee, although it remains to be seen whether the player himself is keen to continue biding his time and awaiting the right moment and additional trust from Pep Guardiola.