Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad could undergo a refresh before the FIFA Club World Cup.
Guardiola’s side missed out on silverware during the 2024/25 domestic season and the Catalan coach is considering a host of summer transfer moves to reinforce his options.
With FIFA opening the international transfer window until June 10 – to allow for extra registrations in time for the Club World Cup – Guardiola is already making plans.
A big-spending January will not reduce his transfer budget – but sales are planned – alongside the incoming free transfer exit of talisman Kevin De Bruyne.
One name potentially on the way out of the Etihad Stadium is England U21 international James McAtee and he could make an incredible move across the city to join Manchester United.
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Is James McAtee joining Man United?
The idea of McAtee crossing the Mancunian divide will frustrate City fans but the Salford-born midfielder has grown frustrated under Guardiola.
Just three Premier League starts in 2024/25 indicates his place in Guardiola’s plans – after returning from a two-year loan at Sheffield United – and his career is in danger of flatlining without regular match action.
Guardiola has already indicated his concern over having ‘too big a squad’ next season and reports from the Daily Mirror claim McAtee will not travel to the USA after being axed from the squad.
McAtee has already been added to England’s squad for the U21 European Championship in Romania – which starts on June 11 – and that decision could spell the end of his City career.
With his contract expiring in 2026, this is City’s final realistic chance to secure a transfer fee, and United are considering a £20m [$27m] offer.
If the 22-year-old does head to Old Trafford he will join an eye-catching list of Premier League stars to have represented the red and blue sides of the city including Andrew Cole, Peter Schmeichel and Carlos Tevez.
Man City’s FIFA Club World Cup schedule
City have been drawn in Group G at the Club World Cup with a minimum of three group stage matches on the agenda for Guardiola.
- Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca – June 18, Lincoln Field, Philadelphia
- Man City vs. Al Ain – June 22, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Man City vs. Juventus – June 26, Camping World Stadium, Orlando
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