Glasgow Rangers have been told to make a move for one young English prospect who may be available for loan.  

The lowdown

The Athletic reported on Friday that Manchester City may be receptive to loan offers for James McAtee given the extent of interest in the 19-year-old.

Rangers correspondent Jordan Campbell tweeted earlier this month that the Light Blues 'had interest' in a temporary move in the player in January, but the Premier League champions wouldn't let him leave 'without signing a new deal'.

McAtee then penned fresh terms at the start of February, committing to Pep Guardiola's side until 2026, although reports at the start of this month claimed that the Ibrox club could submit another bid to try and land the teenager on loan.

An attacking midfielder who can also play in a deeper role, he has made six appearances for City's first team thus far (via Transfermarkt).

The latest

Rangers insider The 4th Official, who first broke the news of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's appointment at Ibrox last November, argued that the club should arrange a loan move for McAtee, claiming that the youngster could improve the Light Blues' creative output.

They tweeted: "Rangers should try and get James McAtee on a season long loan. A ridiculously talented player and will instantly increase the creativity quotient of this side."

The verdict

Rangers' next transfer priority may be signing a 'creative attacking player', and McAtee certainly fits that bill. He has set up 19 goals in 52 appearances for Man City at under-23 level, having also notched eight assists for the under-18s.

At the end of 2021/22, McAtee was named Premier League 2 Player of the Season and also won the Player's Player of the Year award at City's academy. He has already been nicknamed 'The Salford Silva' because of supposed likenesses to club legend David Silva.

At the Etihad Stadium, he's competing with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan for minutes. The reigning English champions believe that he could break into the side within a couple of years, but 2022/23 may be too soon for the youngster.

If given the opportunity by Rangers, McAtee looks like a player who could light up Scottish football for a season.