Leicester’s interest in highly rated Man City starlet explained

It is no secret that, in Brendan Rodgers’ tenure at Leicester City, he has been excellent at turning young talent into fantastic first team players. Luke Thomas, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, James Justin and Harvey Barnes are only a few names that have Rodgers has developed, with Barnes even earning his first senior England cap in 2020. Now, it seems, there could be a new face on his way to the King Power with extremely high potential.

Manchester City’s James McAtee has had a breakout season for his boyhood club, with the 19-year-old earning his first Premier League appearance off the bench against Everton in November.

The latest in a series of talented academy players at City – Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz are two honourable mentions – McAtee has taken the Premier League 2 by storm this season, scoring 14 goals and creating 4 assists in only 15 appearances, including back-to-back hat-tricks against Blackburn and Manchester United in August.

So far in his career, the youngster has made 38 PL2 appearances, scoring 22 goals and making 13 assists, incredible form which has seen him called up to the England U20’s squad in which he has scored 1 goal in his 2 showings at international level.

The numbers he is providing would make it seem that the Salford-born man is a high-scoring striker, but you’d be mistaken. He plays predominately as a CAM, though has been utilised as a centre forward and on both sides of the wing. His performances at CAM for the Citizens have earned him high praise from Pep Guardiola, as well as Gary Neville who, whilst on punditry duty, compared the youngster to David Silva – high praise indeed.

With all this considered, it is surprising to read that McAtee isn’t all that happy in Manchester. Perhaps he feels as if he deserves more chances in the senior squad, perhaps he sees the attacking talent of Foden, Sterling, Grealish, Mahrez and Jesus as huge obstacles to overcome, or maybe it is the fact that Cole Palmer – another brilliantly talented Man City youngster – is being preferred over him, whatever it is, at 19 he is assessing where his future lies.

As things stand the Salford-born midfielder’s contract expires in the summer of 2023, and talks to extend his current deal are stalling. Naturally, this means that – as per the Leicester Mercury – Leicester City are keeping tabs on the youngster as a potential transfer target for the summer. Because of McAtee’s talent, the Foxes face competition from fellow Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Brighton.

As for the PL2 star’s near future, Championship sides QPR, Bournemouth, Blackburn and Swansea are all interested on bringing him in on loan, a move that would be highly beneficial to his development.

Leicester’s track record with their development of young players, alongside their stunning training complex, will be something that attracts the eye on McAtee, and could put them as favourites the sign the youngster. This move is one to keep an eye out for in the summer, and could be another shrewd move for the Foxes.