James Mcatee: Biography, Salary, Net Worth, Career, And Transfer History

If you’ve been keeping an eye on Manchester City’s conveyor belt of young talent, you’ve probably heard whispers about James McAtee. He’s not just another “promising youngster” — he’s the kind of player who makes you lean forward when he gets on the ball.

Today, we’re going deep into his world — from his family roots in Salford to loan stints that toughened him up, from his current Manchester City role to the transfer stories swirling around him. We’ll even peek at his salary and net worth (because let’s face it, we’re all curious).

So, let’s start right at the beginning.

Early Life

James John McAtee was born on October 18, 2002, in Salford, England. Now, Salford isn’t just any random backdrop — it’s one of those football-mad places where kids grow up dribbling balls down the street before they can spell “Premier League.”

Sport runs deep in his family. His older brother, John McAtee, is a professional striker, and on his mum’s side, there’s serious football heritage — Alan Ball Sr. and Alan Ball Jr., both England internationals, are relatives. Even on his dad’s side, you’ll find professional rugby league players.

In other words: football wasn’t just a hobby for James — it was practically in his DNA.

Joining Manchester City’s Academy

James signed for Manchester City’s youth academy in 2013 when he was just 11 years old. This was the start of a decade-long relationship that’s still unfolding.

He made waves in the 2020–21 Premier League 2 season, racking up 8 goals and 9 assists. His creativity and composure caught plenty of attention, but it was the way he carried himself on the pitch — cool head, quick feet — that marked him out as special.

One of his standout early moments? Scoring in the FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea in November 2020. Manchester City lifted the trophy that night, and McAtee had played a starring role.

By September 2021, Pep Guardiola was ready to give him a taste of senior football. James made his debut in a 6–1 EFL Cup win over Wycombe Wanderers. Not long after, he got his Premier League debut in a win against Everton.

By February 2022, City had seen enough to offer him a fresh deal — a contract keeping him tied to the club until 2026.

Loan Adventures — Sheffield United

Like many young City players, James needed regular game time to really grow, and that meant heading out on loan.

First Loan: 2022–23 Season

In August 2022, McAtee joined Sheffield United in the Championship. At first, he had to adjust — the Championship can be a bruising league. But once he settled in, he started shining.

• 37 league appearances

• 9 goals

• Helped Sheffield United secure promotion to the Premier League.

Fans loved him for his ability to glide past defenders and his knack for popping up with important goals.

Second Loan: 2023–24 Season

The following season, Sheffield United took him back — this time in the Premier League. Playing top-flight football every week was a new challenge, but he handled it well:

• 30 league appearances

• 3 goals

Across the two seasons combined, McAtee made 75 appearances and scored 14 goals for the Blades. More importantly, he left with invaluable experience — from battling in Championship midfields to testing himself against some of the world’s best in the Premier League.

Return to Manchester City

Back at City for the 2024–25 season, James found himself in a tricky spot — plenty of talent ahead of him, but a manager who likes giving youth a chance.

He managed:

• 15 Premier League appearances

• 3 league goals

• Including cup matches, 34 senior appearances and 7 goals overall.

One of his big moments was in the FA Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in an 8–0 demolition of Salford City — a special moment given his Salford roots.

On top of that, he added some silverware to his name:

• FA Community Shield (2024)

• UEFA Super Cup (2023)

International Career — Wearing the England Shirt

James first wore an England shirt at U18 level in 2019 — and immediately made headlines by scoring twice in a 4–4 draw with Norway.

Then came the U20s, where he scored on his debut in a 6–1 thrashing of Romania.

But it’s with the England U21s that he’s made the biggest mark:

• 24 caps

• 8 goals

• Captain of the side that won the UEFA U21 European Championship in 2025

• Named in the Team of the Tournament

It’s not hard to imagine him making the jump to the senior team in the near future.

Salary and Net Worth — The Numbers Bit

Alright, let’s talk money. His exact salary depends on who you ask, but here are the most widely reported figures:

• SalarySport says: £10,000 per week (~£520,000/year), net worth ~£2.25m

• InterestingFootball claims: £15,000 per week (~£780,000/year), net worth ~£1.5m

• Spotrac puts his deal at 3 years, $2.34m total (~£620,000/year)

Whatever the exact number, for a player still making his way into the first team, it’s a healthy pay packet — and with a likely transfer on the horizon, it could be set to rise sharply.

Transfer Rumours — What’s Next for McAtee?

Here’s where it gets juicy. McAtee’s future has been one of the hottest talking points in recent transfer windows.

Premier League Interest

Nottingham Forest reportedly agreed a £30 million deal for him, with City including buy-back and sell-on clauses. This is a classic City move — let the player grow elsewhere, but keep the option to bring him back if he becomes a star.

Bundesliga Temptation

German clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, and Stuttgart have all shown interest. City values him at around £25m+, and if he moved, there would almost certainly be a buy-back clause involved.

McAtee even visited Frankfurt earlier this year, which set tongues wagging — but he’s said publicly that he’d prefer to stay in the Premier League.

Signs of a Move

• Left out of City’s Club World Cup squad — a possible hint that his future lies elsewhere.

• Multiple bids expected before the transfer window closes.

Transfer History Table

Why His Story’s Worth Following

What makes McAtee’s career so compelling is that it’s not been an overnight rise. It’s been a steady climb — step by step, season by season.

He’s not just talented; he’s versatile, comfortable as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or wide forward. He’s already captained England at youth level. And at 22, he’s got years ahead to grow into a top-class player.

Conclusion

From playing football in Salford to scoring hat-tricks for Manchester City and captaining England U21s, James McAtee has already packed a lot into a short career.

The next chapter will be fascinating — will he take the Premier League route with Nottingham Forest, embrace a Bundesliga adventure, or fight for his place in Pep Guardiola’s squad?

Whatever happens, it’s safe to say we’ll be hearing his name for a long time to come. And if history is any guide, he’ll be making things happen wherever he plays.