Rangers will test the water at the Etihad with an ‘ambitious’ loan bid for James McAtee, according to the Scottish Sun . The Manchester City star has been linked with a loan move away from the Premier League champions as he looks to make the step up to senior football.
Leeds United have been linked with a move for the teenager this summer, with suggestions he may have been involved in the deal to take Kalvin Phillips across to Manchester. Despite that not being the case - the Whites will instead sign his teammate Darko Gyabi for around £5million - Victor Orta is still eyeing a loan deal for the attacking midfielder.
But now Ibrox chiefs have also identified the 19-year-old as a key target and are said to be readying an offer which could take the star across the border on loan. Rangers and Leeds face stiff competition for McAtee’s signature, with Brighton and Huddersfield also interested in the promising talent.
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He racked up an outstanding 18 goals and seven assists in 23 Premier League 2 matches last season, earning him a Premier League debut in November 2021 against Everton. The teenager signed a new three-year deal at the Etihad recently and is seen by Pep Guardiola as a star of the future, making a loan the only option for any interested club.
Rangers will hope that the prospect of European football will be enough to entice McAtee north of the border, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side potentially playing Champions League football if they can get through their qualifiers.
Leeds have had eyes on multiple City youngsters, with 18-year-old midfielder Gyabi due to be officially announced as a Whites player imminently. Orta had also been monitoring the situation of Romeo Lavia, although he has since joined Southampton for £10million.
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