Tottenham's pursuit of a Manchester City midfielder ends in frustration | OneFootball

Tottenham had their sights set on bolstering their midfield before the transfer window slammed shut, but one of their biggest targets slipped through their fingers.

The club made significant moves to strengthen their squad, securing key signings in various positions.

However, their attempt to land a promising young talent was firmly blocked by his current club.

Despite their best efforts, Spurs faced a frustrating setback as negotiations failed to materialise into a deal.

The player's potential had caught the attention of multiple clubs, but one team in particular refused to budge.

This rejection wasn’t just about one transfer—it's a broader strategy by the club in question, determined to keep hold of their brightest young prospects.

Manchester City blocks Tottenham’s move for James McAtee

Manchester City v Salford City - Emirates FA Cup Third Round | Gareth Copley/GettyImages

Tottenham made a late push to sign James McAtee from Manchester City, but their approach was firmly rejected just days before the transfer deadline.

The 22-year-old midfielder, highly rated for his creativity and composure on the ball, was seen as an ideal addition to Spurs’ squad.

According to TBR Football, Tottenham enquired about McAtee’s availability, but City refused to entertain any discussions over a transfer.

In fact, the Premier League champions turned down offers of up to £30 million from multiple Bundesliga clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Mainz, and Stuttgart.

Manchester City's reluctance to sell McAtee stems from a desire to avoid a repeat of the Cole Palmer situation.

The club reportedly regrets allowing Palmer to leave for Chelsea, where he has since flourished, and they are determined not to make the same mistake with McAtee.

As reported by The Athletic, City made it clear to Tottenham that no senior player would be sold during the January window, further cementing their stance on retaining McAtee.

A blow for Spurs, but key signings still made

While missing out on James McAtee is undoubtedly a setback for Tottenham, the club did manage to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Spurs secured loan deals for Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso, as well as bringing in promising young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Although McAtee would have been a strong addition to their midfield, these signings could still prove crucial as Tottenham push for a strong finish to the season.

Manchester City’s firm stance serves as a reminder that some deals simply aren’t possible, no matter how much interest a club may have.