James McAtee (foto: Getty Images)
James McAtee remains open to joining Bayer Leverkusen, with City possibly using the midfielder in a future deal to land Florian Wirtz.
James McAtee hasn't given up on a move to Bayer Leverkusen, with Sky Germany reporting that the Manchester City midfielder remains interested in heading to the Bundesliga champions, despite a failed January transfer.
Back in the winter window, Leverkusen approached City with a loan proposal including a €25 million option to buy, but the Premier League side rejected the offer.
Still, the 22-year-old hasn’t lost interest. Reports suggest McAtee has been closely following Leverkusen’s matches ever since and is enthusiastic about potentially joining Xabi Alonso’s squad in the future.
Leverkusen and City are said to still be in contact over the player, although no formal negotiations are currently underway. The scenario could evolve in the coming months, especially considering City’s reported interest in Florian Wirtz as a long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne.
That opens up a possible swap-based deal: McAtee heading to Leverkusen as part of a package to lure Wirtz to the Etihad, which would also allow the German champions to avoid selling their star midfielder to domestic rivals Bayern Munich—a scenario the club would likely prefer to avoid.
McAtee, who has spent the season on loan at Sheffield United, is seen as a promising creative midfielder, and a move to Leverkusen could give him the platform to thrive in European competition while stepping out of City’s crowded midfield.