Newcastle United are at risk of missing out on ‘special’ Manchester City player

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Newcastle United’s January transfer window woes look set to continue.

The Magpies are yet to make a single signing, and that feels unlikely to change. Newcastle United are not expected to sign anyone, as PSR issues persist.

That is despite the fact that Miguel Almiron is set to leave Newcastle. Even his looming departure to Atlanta United will not result in Eddie Howe being able to bring in reinforcements.

All the while, players who have been linked with the Magpies are going elsewhere. Newcastle have missed out on Abdukodir Khusanov, who made his Manchester City debut on Saturday. It did not particularly go to plan, with the 20-year-old costing Pep Guardiola’s side a goal on his first appearance.

Offer made for Newcastle United target James McAtee

Now Newcastle United could miss out on another target, as interest in Manchester City midfielder James McAtee ramps up.

McAtee has been linked with Newcastle United, but a January move to St James’ Park does not appear to be on the cards.

Guardiola wants to keep McAtee at the Etihad Stadium, but he might not get his wish.

That is because Fabrizio Romano has reported that Bayer Leverkusen have made a move to sign the 22-year-old on loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

Romano wrote on X: “Bayer Leverkusen have approached Man City to sign James McAtee. Loan + option offered to City; Xabi Alonso, huge fan as he’s 1st choice to replace injured Terrier. Man City and Pep Guardiola are reluctant to let him go as feel he can become a regular starter.”

Potentially a missed opportunity for Newcastle United

Guardiola told the Manchester Evening News last year that McAtee is a ‘special’ player.

That is high praise from the best manager around, and it is why talk of interest from the Magpies was so exciting.

However, the feeling has always been that Newcastle would only be able to sign McAtee if he was still available in the summer.

Bayer Leverkusen are trying to ensure that is not the case, as Xabi Alonso steps up his interest. It had previously been claimed that McAtee is most likely to join a Bundesliga club, and that could now become a reality depending on how Man City respond to this approach.

While he has not been a major Toon target, it could be another player linked that moves elsewhere. That is frustrating, as the Premier League’s financial rules threaten to hold Newcastle United back.