Man City's three dream deadline day signings that would not cost a penny in transfer fees

As Liverpool get involved in a last-minute trolley dash, Manchester United endure unwelcome stasis, and Antonio Conte sets about losing his hair all over again, the January transfer window feels pretty good from a Manchester City perspective.

City and River Plate should soon be done crossing the t’s and accenting the i’s on a deal to bring Argentina forward Julian Alvarez to Manchester, but that’s something to enjoy a few months down the line.

The Premier League champions have been able to plan for the future during this transfer window because the present looks so rosy.

Indeed, if we were to pick three dream signings to make this deadline day, they would concern people already on City’s books.

Confused? Allow us to explain.

If any City player is to draw substantial and sustained intrigue this deadline day, it will be McAtee.

The 19-year-old midfield has made the first-team breakthrough this season and is enjoying a spectacular campaign at EDS level.

McAtee is the top scorer in Premier League 2 with 14 goals - a haul that was turbocharged at the start of the season with back-to-back hat-tricks against Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United. He also claimed the match ball in a crazy 5-3 defeat to Club Brugge in the UEFA Youth League.

But McAtee’s prominence for the second string is in part down to Cole Palmer featuring with greater regularity for the seniors. That’s something the Salford-born playmaker desires, and Rangers head a queue of clubs keen to take him on loan.

Pep Guardiola would prefer McAtee to take the Phil Foden route and continue to learn by training every day with the first-team. Either way, a resolution and an extended contract beyond 2023 feels like a must for a sensational talent - especially with