West Ham and Fulham handed 'major transfer boost' as £20m-rated Man City starlet eyes January switch

West Ham and Fulham-linked midfielder James McAtee is reportedly open to a January transfer away from Manchester City, as he seeks regular first team football.

McAtee, 22, has struggled to break into Pep Guardiola’s side on a regular basis, making just three Premier League appearances this season. According to Football Insider, his stance is a major boost to Fulham and West Ham as they have been linked to signing him, should City give McAtee the green light to leave.

A January loan move seems more likely for the 22-year-old, which would help to provide him with valuable first team experience. The report suggests that Scottish Premier League side Celtic also hold an interest in McAtee, however, a move to a fellow Premier League team is the midfielder’s main priority.

It wouldn’t be the City man’s first loan move to a Premier League side, as he spent last season with Sheffield United, making 30 appearances, scoring three goals and providing three assists. It was McAtee’s second loan spell at Bramall Lane, but after their relegation, it now seems that he is seeking a move elsewhere in the top division.

Fulham set to add attacking talent in January transfer window

Marco Silva’s side have had a good first half of the season, they sit eighth in the Premier League, six points off the Champions League places.

McAtee likes to play an attacking role in midfield, and he could help bolster Fulham’s goalscoring prospects and give them an outside chance of European football.

Furthermore, Fulham have been linked to Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, who has also been linked to London rivals Chelsea. They would likely add Ferguson on a loan deal similar to any deal for McAtee. As striker Raul Jimenez is in the last year of his contract, the Cottagers are looking for a new long-term striker option, which Ferguson could help to provide.

West Ham looking for Jarrod Bowen replacement

For all that has gone well for Fulham this season, it hasn’t quite been as positive for the Hammers, who sit 13th in the league table.

They are one of the lower-scoring teams in the division, and it has just got worse for Julen Lopetegui. Star winger Jarrod Bowen suffered a fractured foot during West Ham’s 5-0 defeat against Liverpool.

The Hammers may now decide to sign attacking talent in January in order to replace the England international, who has scored five goals and contributed four assists in the Premier League this season.

McAtee could help fill the void that has been left by Bowen, who was playing either on the wing or in the middle at the London Stadium. He is set to be out injured for at least a month, and maybe significantly longer.