Man City's James McAtee joins Sheffield United on loan

Man City’s teenage sensation James McAtee joins Sheffield United on a season-long loan deal after Bournemouth, Leeds and Nottingham Forest all expressed an interest

  • Championship side Sheffield United have signed James McAtee on loan
  • Bournemouth, Leeds and Bournemouth were also in the race for the youngster
  • The 20-year-old made six appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side last season 
  • The Blades are hoping McAtee will make a similar impact to Morgan Gibbs-White 

Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has joined Sheffield United on a season-long loan deal.

The Championship side, have brought the highly-rated youngster to Bramall Lane, after making an offer on Monday. 

McAtee was also the subject of interest from Premier League trio Bournemouth, Leeds and Nottingham Forest, while LaLiga side Villarreal had also surprisingly shown interest in the youngster.

Sheffield United have signed James McAtee on a season-long loan from Manchester City

McAtee told Sheffield United’s official website: ‘I’m looking forward to the challenge, I’ve been building up to a loan for a few years now and I think I’m ready.

‘The way Sheffield United play suits me and hopefully I can help with creative options. Manchester City are obviously happy with the club, they want me to get some game time and experience.’

McAtee could make his United debut in Saturday’s home game with Millwall.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom said: ‘James is a talented player, someone who is rated very highly at City and throughout football. We are excited to get him.

‘We are grateful to Manchester City. We think we are a good place for young players. We have huge expectation and a major fan base.’

Bournemouth, Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Villarreal are also interested in the 20-year-old

The 19-year-old made six appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side and is highly-thought of by City manager Pep Guardiola.

There had been suspicions that McAtee would remain a part of the City squad this season, but that appears to have changed, with the youngster set to get regular game-time at the Championship side.  

The attacking midfielder made his Premier League debut as a substitute in City’s 3-0 win over Everton last November. 

McAtee was also handed a taste of Champions League football in the second leg of the last-16 clash with Sporting Lisbon.

He excelled for City’s U23 side and ended the PL2 campaign last term with 25 goal contributions in just under 2000 minutes. The midfielder was also rewarded with a long-term contract extension.

McAtee is also a mainstay in the England youth teams and received his first call-up to the under-21 team in June this year.

McAtee (left) made six appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side last term in a breakout campaign

The Blades are hopeful that McAtee can have the same impact as Wolves’ Morgan Gibbs-White did last season during his loan. 

Gibbs-White boasted 20 goal contributions in 35 Championship appearances last term as Paul Heckingbottom’s side reached the play-offs semi-finals.

United were defeated 1-0 by Watford in their opening game of the 2022-23 Championship season, suggesting their lack of firepower.

Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a stunning loan deal at Bramall Lane last season

Sheffield United United have already signed highly-rated youngster Tommy Doyle on loan from the Citizens earlier in the window.

The Blades have also made the addition of defender Anel Ahmedhodzic for £4million this summer, while Heckingbottom has made no secret of the fact that the rest of their business will revolve around free transfers and loans.

If they are able to complete a deal for McAtee it would represent a major coup after there was plenty of interest shown in the youngster. 




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