Manchester City decision expected next week?

The Swans take on Southampton on Saturday evening in the FA Cup but the eyes of both clubs could be on the County Ground in Swindon the night before after the Saints reportedly joined the list of clubs thinking about a January move for James McAtee.

The name of McAtee has been linked to the Swans for some time now and there is an increased belief in amongst the Welsh media that the Swans could pull off a loan move against the backdrop of interest from Bournemouth and QPR alongside the Saints.

Pep Guardiola is said to have not yet made a decision on the future for the second half of the season for McAtee but reports yesterday in Wales Online gave some suggestion that the Man City manger could be softening and that a move away from the Ethiad could be on the table if it was felt to be right for the player’s development.

The interest from Southampton appears to be real although Wales Online say that their sources in the North West are saying that this move could be unlikely opening the door for the likes of the Swans to step in.

Guardiola is known to want any move to be right for the players development and City are reported to be keen to ensure this works for all parties and any move will require a regular first team spot for the player although that is not envisaged to be a problem at any of the Championship suitors.

No decision is expected to be made until next week at the very earliest but there will be plenty of interested eyes on Friday night watching events at Swindon and the performance of a certain midfielder within that game.

City are also said to be keen to secure the longer term future of McAtee before allowing him to leave – his current contract ends in 2023.

A spectacular run of form that has seen McAtee score 16 goals in 17 appearances for City’s EDS side this season – including hat-tricks against Manchester United, Blackburn and Club Brugge.