Man City set to decide James McAtee’s summer plans during talks with England amid tournament clash
Manchester City are set for talks with the Football Association over James McAtee’s availability this summer amid a clash of tournaments.
McAtee is eligible to feature in the Under-21 European Championship but England’s defence of their crown coincides with the Club World Cup in the United States.
Mail Sport understands that Lee Carsley is holding discussions with City chiefs over the coming weeks to ascertain whether he can call upon the attacking midfielder.
McAtee has been integral with the Under 21s over the past two years, scoring seven goals in 18 appearances and flourishing alongside the likes of Liam Delap and Morgan Rogers.
England want to have the 22-year-old available when they travel to Slovakia for the tournament, kicking off against Czech Republic on June 12.
That is the same week as City fly out to Miami for a camp ahead of their defence of the world title in the revamped 32-team format spread across a month.
Manchester City and England are to hold talks over James McAtee’s availability this summer
Pep Guardiola’s side have the Club World Cup but England’s Under 21s also play in the Euros
Under-21 boss Lee Carsley hopes to have McAtee when they defend their crown in Slovakia
Clubs possess the power over whether players are released to national teams at age group levels.
McAtee said last month that he believes Pep Guardiola will take his views into consideration, although admitted that he’d not decided on how he’d prefer to represent.
McAtee’s stock at City rose at the weekend after scoring on his full Premier League debut for the club in the 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace.
The academy graduate only has a year left on his contract and has interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Nottingham Forest ahead of the summer transfer window.
McAtee has seven goals in 24 appearances so far this season at a goal every 116 minutes.
Meanwhile, City paid £52million in agents fees in the year up to February 3 – a period that included seven transfers and a new nine-year contract for Erling Haaland.
