Manchester City to make decision over James McAtee loan with Rangers leading the chase for starlet

Manchester City will make a decision over the weekend whether to allow midfielder James McAtee to leave on loan.

Rangers, Swansea City and Girona are considered the front runners with City mindful of allowing the teenager to join a club with a similar footballing philosophy.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is an advocate of playing possession style football and is a friend of Pep Guardiola. 

They share a view of how the game should be played and that could be key to City’s decision.

City have still to agree terms on a new contract with McAtee, known as ‘the Salford Silva’, who has 18 months left and he is attracting interest from Premier League rivals such as Leicester City, Aston Villa and Brighton.

Guardiola has been adamant that McAtee should stay and learn from being around the City first team environment. 

Pep Guardiola wants the teenage midfielder (left) to remain at the Etihad this season

Guardiola believes McAtee can follow the footsteps of Phil Foden if he remains focused

He believes McAtee can follow the template set by Phil Foden if he stays focused.

However, they recognise McAtee’s desire is to play regular first team football as soon as possible and may relent to give him his platform. 

City will still want to have some say though and a good relationship with staff at his chosen club will be important as they consider his next move.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is an advocate of playing possession style football and is a friend of Guardiola, which could convince City to allow McAtee to leave on loan

City, meanwhile, have allowed 18-year old defender Finley Burns to join Swansea City on loan.

Winger Morgan Rogers is being recalled from Bournemouth due to lack of first team action. Huddersfield Town and Blackpool are interested in a fresh loan deal.