Tottenham Receive Transfer Boost as Manchester City Set £25m Price Tag for James McAtee
Tottenham Hotspur have received a timely lift in their summer transfer pursuits, as Manchester City have reportedly sanctioned the sale of promising young midfielder James McAtee for a cut-price fee of just £25 million. The news will be welcomed by the Spurs hierarchy as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of what promises to be a competitive transfer window.
Early Transfer Setbacks for Tottenham
The road to the summer transfer window hasn’t been entirely smooth for Spurs. Despite their efforts to build a competitive squad for the upcoming season, the North London club has already faced some notable setbacks even before the window officially opens.
One of Tottenham’s early targets, Brazilian midfielder Johnny Cardoso, looked close to sealing a move to North London with a £21 million buy clause reportedly in place. However, recent reports indicate that Cardoso has chosen to pursue a move to La Liga, preferring Atletico Madrid over Tottenham, dealing a blow to Ange Postecoglou’s midfield plans.
Similarly, the club had been keeping close tabs on young striker Liam Delap, who had been on Tottenham’s radar since the winter transfer window. Unfortunately for Spurs, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed via his signature “here we go” announcement that Delap has opted for Chelsea instead.
McAtee Back on Spurs’ Radar Amid Changing Circumstances
Despite these disappointments, there is renewed hope for Tottenham in their pursuit of James McAtee. The 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder, who had previously been unavailable during the January transfer window, is now up for sale. Pep Guardiola’s side have reportedly altered their stance, opening the door for McAtee to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Tottenham had made a late attempt to sign McAtee during the winter window, only to see their approach turned down by City, who were unwilling to part ways with the talented youngster at the time. Now, according to journalist Simon Bajkowski, City have given McAtee the green light to leave, putting a £25 million valuation on his head—a fee considered modest given his potential and Premier League experience.
Competition From Germany May Complicate Spurs’ Ambitions
However, Tottenham’s pursuit of McAtee is far from straightforward. While the opportunity to sign him exists, the player himself appears to be leaning towards a move to the Bundesliga. Bajkowski noted that McAtee is interested in continuing his development in Germany, and several Bundesliga clubs are reportedly keen on acquiring his services.
Among the most notable suitors is Bayer Leverkusen, who have tracked McAtee’s progress for some time. Although former boss Xabi Alonso has departed the club, the interest from Leverkusen remains intact. New manager Erik ten Hag—formerly of Manchester United—is also understood to have admired McAtee during his time in the Premier League and may view him as a valuable addition to his Leverkusen setup.
In addition to Leverkusen, a host of other Bundesliga outfits have reportedly entered the race. Clubs including Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, and VfB Stuttgart have all expressed interest, which presents a challenge for Spurs as they try to lure McAtee to North London.
Spurs Eager to Make Early Moves in the Transfer Market
With the summer transfer window set to open earlier than usual, Tottenham are hoping to act quickly to avoid being outpaced by European competitors. James McAtee fits the profile of player Postecoglou is looking for—young, technically gifted, and comfortable operating in various attacking midfield roles.
Although competition from Germany could prove a stumbling block, the relatively low asking price and McAtee’s potential upside make this a pursuit worth pushing for. Tottenham may now need to convince the player that his development is better served in the Premier League than abroad.
As the transfer window nears, Spurs fans will be watching closely to see whether the club can successfully navigate both the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead in the race for James McAtee.