Tottenham Hotspur have now held talks over a deal for an “incredible” attacking midfielder, who could be brought in as an alternative to Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, reporter Graeme Bailey has revealed.
Spurs dealt major Gibbs-White blow
Tottenham looked poised to sign Gibbs-White, after triggering the £60m release clause in the England international’s contract, but in a surprising twist, the Forest star has now opted to extend his stay at the City Ground.
It has to be considered a huge blow for Spurs to have missed out on the attacking midfielder, who picked up 17 goal contributions in the Premier League last term, but all they can do now is move on to alternative targets, and they have several options in mind.
Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott is one of the names on the shortlist, with the Lilywhites now “recalibrating” their summer transfer plans, but it has also been revealed they have held discussions over a deal for a different attacking midfielder from the Premier League.
Indeed, speaking to The Boot Room, Bailey has now named Manchester City’s James McAtee as a potential alternative target, saying: “Tottenham were confident and they hoped that Gibbs-White would still come, it is a blow to Spurs’ plans, but they will move on very quickly,”
“They have held talks with other players in recent weeks, the likes of Xavi Simons and James McAtee to name but two, there are options for them and they will move on, and they need to.”
"Incredible" McAtee needs to leave Man City this summer
There have been reports that Man City would be willing to sanction McAtee’s departure for £35m this summer, amid interest from West Ham United, and the attacking midfielder no doubt needs to move on, given a lack of game time last season.
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At 22-years-old, the maestro is now at an age where he needs to receive regular game time, but he made just 15 Premier League appearances last season, often being limited to cameo appearances as a substitute.
With Man City signing the likes of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders this summer, the Englishman’s game time could be even more limited next season, and a move to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium may be suitable for all parties.
The England U21 international performed well for the Three Lions at the recent European Championships, picking up one goal and two assists throughout the tournament.
That said, despite being lauded as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, it would be a gamble to take a chance on McAtee, given that he is yet to prove himself as a top Premier League player, and it is a real blow that Tottenham have missed out on Gibbs-White.