James McAtee to Rangers depends on new Manchester City contract
James McAtee’s chances of moving to Rangers on loan is dependent on Manchester City locking him down with a “bumper new contract”, report The Athletic.
But if that happens there is apparently a good chance that he could move to Ibrox, with The Athletic’s City correspondent Sam Lee naming Gers as one of three clubs holding good relationships with the Premier League leaders.
Writing on his Twitter account, the journalist said: “[In] this case, as they rate McAtee so highly and do want him to stay, and he wants to play so much, City could let it happen as long as it’s a club with a high chance of the loan being a success. At Rangers/Swansea/Girona City have good relationships”.
Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen to keep the youngster around the City squad, citing Phil Foden as an example of his route to the first team, but a loan could happen to a club they trust.
The Athletic report: “Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s relationship with Guardiola from his time at City Football Group means they have a strong relationship and could help Rangers’ case”.
Well positioned
After a quiet window that only saw James Sands arrive from New York City FC, the movement has hotted up in the last couple of days with Amad Diallo arriving on loan from Manchester United.
A potential move to bring John Souttar’s summer transfer forward is still on the cards, and if the club are successful in bringing in another hot prospect from the other side of Manchester, fans will be delighted.
The Gers boss has admitted that “We can still do some business” while adding “I am confident we will leave this window better than we started it.” (The Scotsman).
If this move comes off then he would probably be proven right, and it is particularly pleasing for fans and the board that the Dutchman’s contacts are putting them in contention.
This sort of influence will have gone into the decision when Steven Gerrard’s replacement was being sought, and a line into one of the biggest sides in the world in Manchester City is very useful.
The club’s official website call McAtee a “technically gifted and versatile attacking player” and he has so far made three first team appearances for Guardiola.
He is just short of scoring a goal a game in Premier League 2 with 14 strikes from 15 appearances, primarily featuring in a central role, and continuing his development in the SPFL might be ideal.
In other Rangers news, this rival signing paves the way for an arrival at Ibrox.