Move over, pasta; McAtee might just be Atalanta’s most exciting summer dish. Reports swirling out of Italy suggest that the Manchester City academy gem is being courted by Serie A side Atalanta. With Mateo Retegui packing his bags for Saudi riches, La Dea suddenly has some euros burning a hole in their pocket—and guess who’s caught their eye?
James McAtee, England U21’s midfield maestro and the kid Pep Guardiola politely benched all season, could finally be getting the big break he’s been waiting for.
McAtee Wants Minutes, Not Medals
Let’s face it—warming the bench at City while Erling Haaland breaks records and Kevin De Bruyne dissects defenses isn’t the most glamorous gig for a 22-year-old with a wand of a left foot. Despite being recalled for the 2024-25 season, McAtee only made 15 league appearances, three of them as a starter.
Atalanta? They offer something much more tempting: a guaranteed spot in the starting XI and a dance ticket to the Champions League. No more watching from the sidelines, no more consoling himself with post-match pasta.
McAtee Transfer Could Spice Up Serie A
With his contract running out in 2026 and a valuation of around €20 million, City are likely to cash in now before McAtee walks away on a free. Atalanta, who pride themselves on nurturing young flair players into bonafide stars, could be the perfect launchpad.
The Italian press even whispers that Bundesliga clubs like Dortmund, Leverkusen, and RB Leipzig are sniffing around too. It’s a McAtee tug-of-war—and right now, Atalanta has their sleeves rolled up.
Final Whistle on His Etihad Era?
Assuming you like underdog plots, the move by McAtee may become the feel-good football movie of the summer. Bergamo may not be as glamorous as Manchester, but what it lacks in glamour, it compensates for by providing liberation. And for McAtee, that might be exactly what his career needs.
Cue the spaghetti western music—this transfer saga’s just getting started.
As featured on ManCityNews.com
