Newcastle are reportedly monitoring James McAtee’s situation at Manchester City. The playmaker has struggled for game time with the Premier League champions despite the woeful form of some of his more senior colleagues this season.
McAtee impressed on loan at Sheffield United last season but those performances have not translated into regular minutes under Pep Guardiola. The 22-year-old has featured for only 26 minutes across three Premier League appearances this term.
Newcastle are in need of a left-footed attacking midfielder who can play on the right wing, with Eddie Howe using Joelinton and Harvey Barnes in that position this season. It is neither player’s best role.
Miguel Almiron could also head for the exit in January ahead of his contract expiring at the end of the season. However, the Paraguayan star, who was once Newcastle’s most expensive player at £21million, could reportedly wait to explore his options in the summer.
The Daily Mail reports that Newcastle are admirers of McAtee and are therefore monitoring his situation at the Etihad Stadium. It is claimed that the City academy graduate is valued at around £25m, which would allow Guardiola to reinvest in his flailing senior squad.
However, the Spaniard has previously suggested that nobody will leave City this month. An already small squad has been depleted by injuries in the first half of the season. Guardiola has overseen the club’s worst run of results in 21 years and is desperate to bolster his ranks.
He told Amazon Prime last week: “We have to add players. Definitely. We struggle especially in the back and in the middle. I think we have to but I don’t know if it’s going to happen. The transfer window in winter is not easy.”
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail report adds that Newcastle also harbour an interest in Southampton teenage starlet Tyler Dibling. The Magpies came close to signing the forward in 2022 but he opted to join Chelsea – only to return to the South Coast two months later after failing to settle in London.
Newcastle and head coach Eddie Howe have been interested in Dibling ever since he scored a hat-trick for Southampton’s U23s at St James’ Park aged only 16. Footage of the trio of very similar strikes went viral online.
Dibling has shone for struggling Southampton this season, making 12 starts and scoring two goals. However, it is unlikely that the Saints will sanction his departure this month.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk