Fulham plot move for James McAtee as out-of-favour Man City star considers future move amid lack of starting opportunities

Fulham are considering a move for Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee.

The 22-year-old has played just one minute against Ipswich Town, one minute against Nottingham Forest and a whopping 20 minutes against Leicester City so far this season and wants more regular minutes.

McAtee has had a frustrating time watching from the sidelines amid City’s torrid form towards the end of last year and it doesn’t look like he will be able to force any more minutes as Pep Guardiola’s side face their first wins consecutively. time since October by beating West Ham on Saturday.

Fulham are now considering testing City’s resolve as Marco Silva looks to integrate another out-of-favour Premier League talent into his squad.

The Craven Cottage club have so far rejected £16million bids from Palmeiras for Andreas Pereira, but realize the Brazilians may return and could look to bring in another star if a deal is done.

McAtee is on their radar as a possible option, with Fulham aware that the England U21 international wants more first-team opportunities to prove his capabilities.

McAtee had a late cameo from the bench against West Ham on Saturday but would like more starting opportunities

McAtee had a late cameo from the bench against West Ham on Saturday but is keen on more starting opportunities that Fulham could likely provide.

He has 18 months left on his current contract – and with City unwilling to enter new contract negotiations – his situation has alerted a number of interested clubs.

Mail Sport revealed last month that Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund were monitoring developments, while West Ham, Brentford and Nottingham Forest also want the 22-year-old should City consider selling for around £25 million.

Meanwhile, Guardiola knows the youngster’s potential and recognizes that McAtee could become an even bigger talent, whether at City or another club.

The Spaniard recently heaped praise on the youngster, saying: ‘He’s a player from a generation we had at Manchester City that was incredible; Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis… That’s where incredible, incredible players came from, and Macca is one of this generation. He was the captain of this generation.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is keen to bring in reinforcements in January, with McAtee an option

McAtee has 18 months left on his current contract and his situation has put a number of interested clubs on notice

‘That’s why, when I said to Txiki (Begiristain), and I know it’s unfair to say 1736033192 because, “Ah, you asked him to stay after not giving him minutes he deserved,” that’s fair. It’s right! But I always had the feeling that boy could play with us. He could play.

‘It’s simple. All players, if you want to ask something, on the green! The green is where you show your best, and Macca has proven that.

‘There are things that sometimes feel unfair. Sometimes in the situation we live in, you always feel like giving the responsibility to senior players, not to youngsters.

‘But sometimes older players have more pressure than young players who have nothing to defend. They just want to conquer the world.’