Celtic and James McAtee relationship looking less likely with his preferred destination named

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It looks less likely that James McAtee will be playing at Celtic on loan, or otherwise, this season after the latest news from down in England.

It was reported at the start of the month that the attacking midfielder was one of the players Brendan Rodgers was looking at to potentially bolster his squad for the coming campaign.

The talented youngster is currently on the fringes of the first team under Pep Guardiola and is consistently being named in matchday squads. However, he’s at an age where week-to-week football is key and he can only get that away from the European champions.

To that end, journalist Alan Nixon has reported on Sunday that Sheffield United is his preferred destination this season, so he can build up more English Premier League experience out on loan.

It’s said that City have been stalling on the youngster’s next move until they signed up Bernardo Silva to a new contract.

Nixon also reports that Guardiola would prefer the prospect to move to a big European club or somewhere in the top half of the Premier League as they want him to flourish in a winning team. However, McAtee is keen on a return to Sheffield.

Likewise, Paul Heckingbottom is said to be eager to sign him up and would prefer to take him over Tommy Doyle – another City youngster linked with Celtic.

McAtee was an impressive performer on loan at the Blades last term, helping them earn automatic promotion back to the top flight from the Championship.

The Bhoys have been linked with a multitude of Premier League players this summer with Daniel Podence and Lyanco some of the most recent. So while McAtee may not be heading north, don’t rule out a transfer or two from England in the coming days.

In other news, Daizen Maeda honestly concedes he’s suffering from an AngeBall hangover at Celtic.