Aston Villa could complete cut-price Man City transfer for 'next Phil Foden'

Aston Villa face competition from two other Premier League clubs to sign Manchester City starlet James McAtee, according to reports.

The 19-year-old has been in fine form for City's under-23 team this season and is said to be impressing Premier League clubs Villa, Leicester City and Brighton.

After another match-winning display for the club's U23s on Monday night, the Daily Mail claim his performance "caught the eye of watching scouts".

McAtee's strike in the 1-0 win over Chelsea sent City to the top of Premier League 2 and took his goals tally for the season to 14, ahead of Arsenal's Folarin Balogun.

The midfielder is ready to make the step up to first-team football after he made his Premier League debut for City earlier season in the 3-0 win over Everton back in November.

The versatile midfielder's contract expires at City next year and competition for his signature is bound to be high.

Manchester United and Barcelona were also previously touted as possible suitors, as well as Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

The Mail adds that City believe McAtee can become "the next Phil Foden", and boss Pep Guardiola is keen to reward the teenager with more game time even if he is competing with Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva and Foden for minutes on the pitch.

Villa made an impressive start to the January transfer window and boss Steven Gerrard has confirmed they will remain active until Monday's deadline.

Villa have managed to land Philippe Coutinho on loan until the end of the season, with an option to make the switch permanent in the summer, while also luring Lucas Digne to Villa Park with the pull of head coach Gerrard key to both moves.