Manchester City recently turned down a substantial £30 million bid for a promising young talent who has played only 18 minutes in the Premier League. The player in question, whose potential has caught the eye of the City captain, impressed during a loan spell at Sheffield United last season.

Despite his limited game time at the top level, the 20-year-old attacker showcased his abilities with an impressive record of nine goals and four assists in 43 appearances for the Blades in the 2022/23 season.

McAtee’s impressive performances during a year-long loan spell at Sheffield United have not gone unnoticed. The young English player earned plaudits after showcasing his attacking prowess, scoring nine goals and providing four assists across all competitions. These notable achievements have sparked interest from the Blades, who are eager to secure McAtee on a permanent basis.

Despite his impressive loan stint, McAtee has seen limited action in the Premier League for Manchester City. He made six appearances in the 2021/22 season, but was only given a total of 18 minutes on the field, all as a substitute. Nevertheless, his potential has been recognized by the City captain, who highly values McAtee’s abilities.

McAtee has also represented the England Under-21 team, earning three caps. However, despite his talent and promising performances, he was not included in the squad that recently triumphed in the 2023 European Under-21 Championship. Nevertheless, this setback has not diminished the interest in the young attacker, with Sheffield United keen to secure his services permanently.

While City rejected the significant offer for McAtee, they have been active in the transfer market, making moves to strengthen their squad. They recently allowed young midfielder Shea Charles to join Southampton for a reported fee of £15 million. Additionally, they sold goalkeeper James Trafford to Burnley for £19 million.

These departures have helped fund their signings, with the acquisition of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea bolstering their midfield ranks. However, the departure of captain Ilkay Gundogan and the failed pursuit of Declan Rice from West Ham have left City’s midfield depth somewhat lacking.

Manchester City’s decision to reject a £30 million offer for McAtee, despite his limited Premier League minutes, speaks volumes about the club’s belief in the young talent. After impressing on loan at Sheffield United, the 20-year-old has caught the attention of his teammates and potentially a wider audience.

While City has made significant transfers to strengthen their squad, including the signing of Kovacic, their reluctance to part ways with McAtee suggests they see immense potential in the young English player. As the transfer window progresses, the intrigue surrounding McAtee’s future continues to grow.