- Fulham considering making a January move for Manchester City youngster
- James McAtee seeks more regular opportunities in the Premier League
- LISTEN NOW: It's all starting!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
Fulham are considering signing Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee.
The 22-year-old has so far played just one minute against Ipswich Town, one minute against Nottingham Forest and a whopping 20 minutes against Leicester City this season and wants more regular minutes.
McAtee has had a frustrating time watching from the sidelines amid City's torrid run towards the end of last year and looks unlikely to force his way into more minutes with Pep Guardiola's side recording back-to-back wins for the first time. . time since October by beating West Ham on Saturday.
Fulham are now considering testing City's resolve as Marco Silva looks to integrate another disgraced Premier League talent into his squad.
The Craven Cottage club have so far rejected £16m bids from Palmeiras for Andreas Pereira but realize the Brazilians can still return and, if a deal is agreed, would like to bring in another star.
McAtee is on their radar as a potential option and Fulham are aware that the England U21 international wants more first-team opportunities to showcase his ability.
Fulham are considering signing Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee
McAtee had a late cameo off the bench against West Ham on Saturday but is eager for more starting opportunities.
McAtee had a late cameo off the bench against West Ham on Saturday but is eager for more starting opportunities than Fulham could likely offer.
He has 18 months left on his current contract, and with City yet to enter into new contract negotiations, his situation has alerted several interested clubs.
Mail Sport revealed last month that Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund were monitoring developments, while West Ham, Brentford and Nottingham Forest also want the 22-year-old should City consider selling him for around £25m.
Meanwhile, Guardiola knows the potential the youngster has and reckons McAtee could develop into an even bigger talent, whether at City or another club.
The Spaniard recently praised the youngster and stated: “He is a player from a generation that we had at Manchester City and who has been incredible; Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis… Incredible, incredible players came out of there, and Macca is one of this generation. He was the captain of this generation.
Fulham manager Marco Silva is interested in bringing in reinforcements in January with McAtee as an option
McAtee has 18 months left on his current contract and his situation has alerted several interested clubs.
'That's why when I told Txiki (Begiristain), and I know it's unfair to say it (now) because, 'Oh, you asked him to stay, after you didn't give him the minutes he deserved,' it's fair. It's right! But I always had the feeling that that boy could play with us. I could play.
'It's simple. All players, when they want to ask for something, go to the green! The green is the best place to shine and Macca showed it.
'There are things that sometimes seem unfair. Sometimes, in the situation we are experiencing, you always have the feeling of giving the responsibility to the veteran players, not the young ones.
“But sometimes veteran players have more pressure than young players who have nothing to defend.” It's just that they want to conquer the world.