Bayer Leverkusen make crucial transfer decision amid Jack Grealish interest

Bayer Leverkusen have rethought their stance on Manchester City’s James McAtee as they hunt for a replacement for Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz, as per a new report.

Wirtz is nearing the completion of a sensational move to Anfield as negotiations progress to an advanced stage between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, who have received an improved £113 million offer for the 22-year-old after turning down an opening bid from Merseyside.

Liverpool are understood to have agreed personal terms with Wirtz that will see the Germany international sign a long-term contract with the Premier League champions, who won the league title in Arne Slot’s debut campaign in England last term.

Leverkusen are poised to cashing in on Wirtz and are actively searching for a suitable replacement for the attacking midfielder, with a long-standing interest in Manchester City star and England U-21 international James McAtee.

McAtee’s Manchester City future was put in further doubt as the 22-year-old has chosen to captain his National Team at the U-21 European Championship and turned down a chance to represent his boyhood club at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Salford-born star struggled for regular game time last season and despite a much greater look into the first-team after March, there is little evidence to suggest McAtee will realise his true potential under Pep Guardiola.

With 12 months remaining on his current deal at the Etihad Stadium, McAtee wants a permanent transfer to start fresh and progress his career and Manchester City will be looking for a market fee for another product of their academy.

Bayer Leverkusen have held a long-standing interest in McAtee and it is understood that the German outfit have held direct talks with Manchester City over the attacking midfielder, who is very attracted by the prospect of moving to Germany for next season.

However, Bild are reporting that Leverkusen have withdrawn their interest in McAtee and are focusing on alternative targets as they prepare for life without Florian Wirtz and look to spend the incoming transfer fee for their best player, as relayed by Get Football News Germany.

Manchester City’s €20 million valuation has put off Leverkusen, who are exited the race to sign McAtee, who has also attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart. It is worth noting that City are likely to prefer to sell McAtee to a foreign club.

Cole Palmer joined Chelsea for £40 million in 2023 and has turned himself into one of the best forwards in Europe after two outstanding seasons in west London. City have frequently sold academy and bit-part players to their direct Premier League rivals and it has come back to bite them.

Jack Grealish has also recently been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen and incoming manager Erik ten Hag is believed to have conveyed his desire of signing the 29-year-old England international to replace Wirtz, with Manchester City set to demand £50 million for their record signing this summer.