Southampton Plan Further Raid On Manchester City
Monday, 7th Aug 2023 15:13

After the capture of Shea Charles this summer and four Manchester City youngsters last year, Saints are once again said to be plotting further acquisitions from the Etihad, sadly the name E Haaland does not seem to be on the list.

Last summer saw Saints sign Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu, Sam Edozie and Juan Larios from Manchester City and they have been joined by Shea Charles in the past month.

However just as one of the original quartet prepares to leave the club the72.co.uk bring news of a sixth signing.

But there will be a lot of competition for the signature, with six other sides said to be interested in 20 year old midfielder James McAtee.

Brighton & Hove Albion, Wolves and Sheffield United from the Premier League are said to be interested in McAtee as are Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. There’s also a couple of European sides in the hunt, with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and Spain’s Real Sociedad linked.

Sheffield united would seem to be in pole position given that McAtee played for them last season on loan, he played 37 games in the Championship, scoring 9 goals and would suit the need for Southampton to replace James Ward Prowse should he leave.

The hope is that the Southampton connection might swing it for the Salford born England U21 International who will celebrate his 21st Birthday in October, firstly the obvious one in that Jason Wilcox now Director of Football at St Mary's would have been heavily involved with McAtee as he rose through the academy at City, but secondly through his family, Alan Ball Snr, the Father of Saints legend Alan Ball Jnr was his maternal Great Grandfather and Alan himself was his Great Uncle.

James's brother John McAtee is currently at Luton Town, although he spent last season on loan at Grimsby where he played 82 minutes of their win at St Mary's last season.

However McAtee may feel that having proved himself at Sheffield United in the Championship and that he is ready to step up into the Premier League, this is where the guidance of Jason Wilcox may come into play.

Photo: Action Images

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