Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is showing interest in James McAtee and could succeed in luring the Manchester City star to Hotspur Way during the summer transfer window as he is on course to be put on the market by his current employers, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Although Spurs will have to spend £20.9million of their budget on Kevin Danso in the coming weeks, thanks to having an obligation to buy the central defender at the end of his initial loan switch from Lens, they are looking to upgrade their squad with fresh faces ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Mathys Tel could also remain at Tottenham beyond the end of the season, due to the north Londoners having an option to purchase the Frenchman for £45million after an agreement was reached with Bayern Munich ahead of the winter deadline, but Postecoglou and influential figures behind the scenes are monitoring McAtee.
Spurs May Come Out on Top in McAtee Chase
North Londoners keeping tabs on attacking midfielder's situation
Tottenham have been handed a significant boost in their bid to sign McAtee, according to GMS sources, as Premier League rivals Manchester City are open to offers after he has struggled to convince chief Pep Guardiola that he deserves to be at the forefront of his plans heading into next term.
The attacking midfielder - who has been compared to David Silva - is preparing to enter the final 12 months of a contract which allows him to pocket £15,000-per-week, resulting in Spurs and other admirers sniffing an opportunity to pounce as there is an awareness that his current employers will not want to run the risk of him walking away as a free agent at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
GMS sources have been informed that Tottenham are keeping tabs on McAtee's situation, having seen him play a key role in Manchester City reaching the FA Cup final, and they have been given fresh hope of being able to strike a deal as the possibility of him embarking on a fresh challenge is increasing.
The England under-21 international was available for in excess of £25million during the winter transfer window, but he ended up remaining at the Etihad Stadium instead of moving onto pastures new and will reassess his options in the coming months after Spurs and other sides have been circling.
Tottenham are eyeing McAtee after discovering that Manchester City are prepared to cash in, GMS sources have learned, with Guardiola deciding that he is willing to sanction his departure after he was unable to prove his worth when handed the chance to start against already-relegated Southampton last weekend.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: James McAtee has been averaging a goal every 121 minutes in the Premier League this season
Postecoglou Faces a Battle to Recruit McAtee
Six Premier League counterparts among 22-year-old's suitors
GMS sources have been told that Tottenham will face stiff competition if they decide to up the ante in their pursuit of McAtee as domestic counterparts Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are also monitoring his situation as they make preparations for the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old, who has been described as 'exceptional' by journalist Ryan Taylor, is in line to have a number of intriguing options to select from if he decides it is the right time to walk away from his boyhood club and take his career in another direction after struggling to make himself one of the first names on the team sheet in his current surroundings.
Bayer Leverkusen also have a genuine interest in luring McAtee away from his homeland after pinpointing him as a target when preparing for Florian Wirtz's potential departure, GMS sources understand, but Tottenham are firmly in the race even though they are currently focused on winning the Europa League.
Although GMS sources recently revealed that World Cup-winning Argentina international Cristian Romero is planning to push for a move to Atletico Madrid, which will come as a major blow for Spurs, the north Londoners are seeking ways to upgrade their squad after an underwhelming domestic campaign.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 12/05/2025