- kuAjax Want Man City Talent If West Ham Sign Kudus.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Eredivisie giants Ajax have set their sights on Manchester City midfielder James McAtee.
The 20-year-old is a contingency plan for Ajax as Mohammed Kudus’ departure gathers pace this summer.
The Dutch outfit’s interest in the Salford-born talent is more than mere speculation, as Ajax have reached out to Manchester City to gauge their demands for the young midfielder.
Although City hold McAtee in high regard, the opportunity for development and regular game time elsewhere could sway his decision.
Having honed his skills within Manchester City’s youth system, McAtee’s prowess as a creative spark and a goal-scoring threat is undeniable.
The midfielder showcased his talents with an eye-catching goal against Bayern Munich during City’s pre-season campaign last month.
Also, McAtee was excellent during his loan stint with Sheffield United last season. He was crucial as the Blades secured automatic promotion to the Premier League in the 2022/23 season, bagging nine goals and three assists in 37 appearances.
Manchester City boast an array of top midfielders like Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden.
They are ahead of McAtee in the pecking order, forcing him to take his talent elsewhere.
Ajax’s keen interest indicates the potential for a fresh chapter in his career trajectory.
Meanwhile, the looming departure of Mohammed Kudus has put Ajax in a strategic stance. Talks with West Ham United have been initiated, with the Ghanaian midfielder receptive to the allure of the Premier League.
However, this deal hinges on Manchester City successfully securing the services of Lucas Paqueta from the Hammers. Paqueta wants to join Pep Guardiola’s side.
This triangular transfer dance, involving Manchester City (McAtee), Ajax (Kudus), and West Ham (Paqueta), could culminate in an intriguing trio of transfers.
Manchester City’s ongoing pursuit of Paqueta, priced at around €80 million, dovetails with Ajax’s delicate negotiation with Kudus and the potential addition of McAtee to their ranks.
