Man City star James McAtee lined up for dream Champions League transfer after Sheffield United relegation

MANCHESTER CITY’S Spanish ‘cousins’ Girona are keen to take James McAtee on loan — and give him Champions League football.

The midfielder, 21, is back from a second spell at Sheffield United.

And he is also wanted by old City youth coach Enzo Maresca at Leicester City - although he now looks set to take over at Chelsea.

But Girona, who are part of the City Group of clubs, want McAtee.

They could now offer him a dream move to LaLiga with the prospect of European football thrown in.

McAtee needs game time to stay sharp and keep his transfer value high, so Girona has a lot of appeal to all parties.

The Foxes have previously tried for McAtee before.

However, he opted to choose the Blades instead 12 months ago.

Leicester are also an ideal home for him but will probably be in a survival fight in the top flight.

City will make the big decision this summer and hope McAtee agrees.

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The star has already appeared in the first-team under Pep Guardiola.

But he left the Etihad to continue his progress with Sheffield United firstly in 2022.

McAtee played a key role in helping them to secure promotion from the Championship during his first season there.

And he also helped them to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.

That led to him deciding to go back to Bramall Lane for another loan stint last season.

But it proved to be a miserable campaign in the top-flight for both him and the Blades.

United finished rock bottom of the table and won just three times all season in the league.

Paul Heckingbottom was sacked and replaced by Chris Wilder, but that change failed to stop them from conceding a record 104 goals.

McAtee made 33 appearances in all competitions for the South Yorkshire club, scoring five times.

Girona, meanwhile, secured Champions League qualification for the first time earlier this month.

They finished third in LaLiga behind Barcelona and champions Real Madrid to reach Europe’s most-prestigious competition next term.