Rangers’ move for Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee “will hinge” on whether the 19-year-old signs a new long-term contract, according to The Athletic‘s Jordan Campbell.

The website’s Gers correspondent claims that the Scottish champions are only one of “several” teams waiting to see whether the player will be loaned out before the transfer window closes:

Rangers one of several clubs pushing for Man City midfielder James McAtee on loan.

Decision on whether he goes out will hinge on him signing new long-term deal offered first.

Pep wants 19yo to stay & follow Foden’s path but he wants to play.

w/@SamLeehttps://t.co/ADh5iHXvtd

— Jordan Campbell (@JordanC1107) January 28, 2022

McAtee is very highly rated at the Etihad, with some of the press describing him as the “Salford David Silva”. His figures at youth level this season have been eyecatching, having scored a total of 18 goals in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League.

The midfielder, who made the switch from rivals Manchester United at a young age, is also being pursued by English Championship side Swansea and Spanish club Girona.

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst does have some strong connections at City, but that is also the case with the two other teams involved.

McAtee’s contract situation is the first thing that needs to be sorted out, though. The player has eighteen months left on his current deal, and he will need to put pen to paper on an extension before being allowed to leave.