Manchester City have knocked back serious offers for James McAtee as the midfielder aims to cement a place in Pep Guardiola's first-team squad.
McAtee took the bold decision to go on loan to Sheffield United last season despite it not being top preference at the Etihad, but backed up his plan as he played a starring role in a promotion campaign that sees the Blades back in the top flight of English football. That has seen even more interest in signing the 20-year-old either on loan or in a permanent deal, with Premier League and Bundesliga clubs among those keen.
However, Guardiola and his bosses were impressed by the character McAtee showed on loan to battle back after a chastening start in the Championship and with Ilkay Gundogan leaving and further doubts in midfield there is the opportunity for the Salford youngster to slot back in at the Etihad.
As a result, City have rebuffed all interest in a player with three years left on his contract despite some buyers being willing to go as high as £30m.
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Having been forced to sit out the Euro-winning campaign of England Under-21s this summer after bruising his ankle ligaments, McAtee has been doing double sessions with a fitness coach and training coach since he fully recovered from injury as he aims to arrive as sharp as he possibly can be for the start of pre-season for City on Monday before they jet off to Japan for three friendlies on Wednesday.
City play Yokohama and Bayern in Tokyo before moving on to Seoul where they will take on Atletico, a week before their final 'friendly' - back at Wembley for the Community Shield against Arsenal. McAtee will hope that those four games can help secure his spot in the Blues squad for the beginning of the Premier League.
