Fulham are considering reviving their interest in Manchester City playmaker James McAtee during the January transfer window, according to the Guardian.
The Whites looked at the City academy graduate as a possible option as a number ten before securing the services of Emile Smith Rowe as a club-record signing. The England under-21 international had ambitions of breaking into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad after a promising pre-season, but has made only six appearances this term – with his only starts coming in the League Cup.
The Salford born 22 year-old has another two years to run on his current contract with the Citizens and enjoyed two strong loan stints at Sheffield United, helping the Blades win promotion in 2022-23 from the Championship and being voted United’s young player of the season as he scored nine goals in 43 games. McAtee scored five times in 33 appearances back at Bramall Lane the following year but the Blades were relegated from the top flight.
McAtee, one of the most highly rated recent graduates from the Etihad Academy, is also being tracked by West Ham United. It remains to be seen whether City would be looking at an initial loan deal or entertain a permanent sale – as they did with Cole Palmer.
A cruel game it is. Our two recent academy graduates, Sessegnon and Carvalho both adored at the Cottage. Surely potential future England players, both departed from SW6 seeking glory elsewhere. Whereas one should admire anyone who wishes to improve themselves. Both Ryan and Fabio have been “ruined” by Spurs and Liverpool respectively. I met Fabio one evening at Motspur Park, he was most charming and took the time to talk to us even as he was laden down with bags and effects. It thrilled my grandchildren.
Whilst watching them play when they got the ball the level of expectation was high. If they had stayed under Marco who knows how good they would have been.
To be honest, only true of Carvalho. Sess was already not going anywhere by the time he left. Spurs made it worse, no doubt, but he’d stopped progressing when we sold him. He’s come back the natural progression from that. He already couldn’t defend properly, now he’s forgotten what it even means.
Harsh but true AL. At least we got some real money for his transfer and may again in future.
December will packed with fixtures, 6 matches if I am not mistaken. This will surely bring an opportunity to fringe players like Sess to have some minutes and show that he merits a squad number. Otherwise he is just a waste of space, we would be better off getting a young promising player that might fit in instead of Robinson, since sooner or later the calls of the bigger clubs will get to his head too and he will leave. The story will repeat itself again, since I do not believe he has enough defending ability, especially heading, to command a starting spot at one of the bigger clubs.