James McAtee snubs Club World Cup to play for England at the Under-21 Euros – as the midfielder edges towards Man City exit

James McAtee has turned down the chance to play for Manchester City at the Club World Cup in order to represent England at the European U-21 Championships in Slovakia.

The 22-year old was given the choice by City and believes he will gain greater game time with Lee Carsley‘s squad.

City have lost Kevin de Bruyne and left out Jack Grealish but have still agreed a deal for Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and hope to add France international Rayan Cherki from Lyon by Tuesday.

With competition for City first team places in the USA expected to be fierce, McAtee wants the platform to play full games for England U-21s where he is a key figure in Carsley’s plans.

McAtee’s decision indicates his future lies away from City this summer and he is not short of admirers.

Bundesliga teams who were keen to sign him in January remain in the frame this window.

McAtee was given the choice to travel with Manchester City for the Club World Cup

His choice suggests his future lies away from City and multiple clubs are interested

Bayer Leverkusen, who want a replacement for Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz, Stuttgart, Eintracht Frankfurt, Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund, who are signing Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham, have all expressed varying degrees of interest.

AC Milan, having sold Reijnders, admire McAtee while in England, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves, Everton, Leeds United, Manchester United, Fulham and Spurs have asked to be kept informed of developments.

McAtee returned to the Etihad last summer following a bright loan spell at Sheffield United the previous season. 

The creative midfielder was a part of Pep Guardiola’s squad for the 2024–25 campaign and eventually racked up 27 appearances across five competitions, making eight starts and scoring seven goals.

England U21s, who will be without Chelsea’s Liam Delap, open their tournament against Czechia next Thursday, June 12. 

They then face Slovenia and old foes Germany.