Tottenham ready to pay £40m to sign ‘unbelievable’ star, he’s waiting to join them
James McAtee Waiting on Tottenham Hotspur to Make Their Move Amid Growing Transfer Interest
Manchester City midfielder James McAtee is understood to be keeping a close watch on Tottenham Hotspur, waiting to see if the North London club will take their interest a step further by submitting an official bid, sources have told GIVEMESPORT.
The 21-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, is widely expected to depart this summer. His chances of regular first-team football under Pep Guardiola have dwindled even further following City’s summer acquisitions of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, pushing him further down the midfield pecking order.
While Nottingham Forest have already tested the waters with a £25 million offer, Manchester City’s £40 million valuation has so far proved to be a stumbling block for potential suitors. Despite this, interest in the England youth international remains high, with several clubs across Europe—particularly in Germany—keeping tabs on his situation.
McAtee, hailed as “unbelievable” by teammate Liam Delap, has enjoyed a standout summer. He captained England Under-21s to their second consecutive European Championship victory, a campaign that boosted his reputation further. His decision to represent the Young Lions instead of travelling with City’s squad to the Club World Cup was seen by many as a clear sign that his time in Manchester was coming to an end.
Sources indicate that Tottenham’s recruitment team, led by head coach Thomas Frank, have become increasingly interested in McAtee over the past week. Agents close to the player are now aware of Spurs’ admiration, and it is understood that McAtee himself is very open to the idea of moving to North London. Linking up with Frank’s Europa League-winning side is seen as an attractive proposition, particularly with the club’s ambitions and attacking style of play.
Importantly, Tottenham are not believed to be discouraged by City’s £40 million asking price. However, McAtee is not the only name on their shortlist. Frank and his recruitment staff have been meticulously exploring options to ensure they secure the best possible fit for their tactical plans.
Their search for an attacking midfielder has taken on greater urgency in recent days after James Maddison suffered a devastating ACL rupture during a pre-season clash with Newcastle United. The England international is now set to miss the vast majority of the 2025/26 season, leaving a significant creative void in the Spurs midfield.
Whether Tottenham will now act swiftly to secure McAtee remains to be seen, but the player’s stance is clear—he is ready and waiting for Spurs to make their move. If they do, it could set the stage for one of the summer’s most intriguing Premier League transfers.