Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen poised for transfer battle over Manchester City midfielder

Manchester City appear set to fend off intense transfer interest from Germany in one of the club’s most exciting midfield talents within their first-team set-up.

The Premier League champions are far more likely to be conducting business this month in the way of arrivals into their first-team squad as opposed to actively seeking departures, irrespective of the financial opportunities that may become available for them.

Among the names to have been linked with interest from the Etihad Stadium are Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, Atalanta’s Ederson, and RC Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, in a triple spend that would certainly exceed the £100 million barrier.

The change of direction from Manchester City in the January transfer market this year has largely stemmed from the relentless injury problems that have faced Pep Guardiola throughout the season, leaving the club struggling across competitions.

And one name that has not seen as many opportunities on the field as many would have expected prior to the start of the campaign is James McAtee, and that has now left some wondering whether the England youth international could seek an exit route.

According to the information of Sky Germany’s Patrick Berger and Marlon Irlbacher, McAtee is now high on the radar of both Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, with the former having had the Manchester City midfielder on their list for some time.

From the perspective of Dortmund, the report claims that they have been considering a transfer in order to have more options in their number ten position, and a loan deal with option to buy this month, or a permanent deal in the summer has been discussed internally.

As reported elsewhere, it has been reiterated that Bayer Leverkusen have McAtee on their list for the post-Florian Wirtz era, although all the current signs around the Germany international star currently point towards him staying within Xabi Alonso’s side.

But what is the feeling from James McAtee and Manchester City’s side? Sky Germany are reporting that the player is unhappy with playing time, although the Premier League champions currently have no intention of selling the midfielder this month.

McAtee’s hugely impressive cameo appearance against Leicester City and his direct involvement in Manchester City’s second goal against the Foxes has earned himself praise throughout the club, including from Kevin De Bruyne and Pep Guardiola.

The Manchester City manager told reporters ahead of the club’s meeting with West Ham on Saturday afternoon, “He (James McAtee) made us believe that maybe he should’ve had more minutes but he’s young, and a lot of games still to play, but of course he played really good.”

The 53-year-old continued on the club’s latest shining Academy graduate, “And the most important is all of his teammates were so happy, because he has big respect for how he behaves in the locker room.”