Manchester City are standing firm in their resolve to retain promising midfielder James McAtee, despite significant interest from Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. The 20-year-old England youth international has attracted attention from Bundesliga clubs keen to strengthen their creative options, but City have no intention of parting with one of their brightest academy talents.
German Clubs Eyeing McAtee
According to reports from Sky Germany, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have added McAtee to their target lists. Dortmund are exploring options to bolster their No. 10 role and have discussed a loan deal with a purchase option or a permanent transfer in the summer. Meanwhile, Leverkusen view McAtee as a potential replacement for Florian Wirtz in the long term, though Wirtz is expected to remain with the club for now.
Both clubs admire McAtee’s creativity and technical ability, seeing him as an ideal fit for their tactical setups. However, City’s determination to keep the midfielder has made a move this January highly unlikely.
City’s Commitment to McAtee
Manchester City are adamant about holding onto McAtee, who has shown glimpses of his potential despite limited opportunities this season. Pep Guardiola recently praised the youngster’s performance in a cameo appearance against Leicester City, where McAtee played a role in the team’s second goal.
“He made us believe that maybe he should’ve had more minutes,” Guardiola said. “He’s young, and a lot of games are still to play, but of course, he played really good.”
Guardiola also highlighted McAtee’s respect within the squad: “The most important thing is all of his teammates were so happy because he has big respect for how he behaves in the locker room.”
McAtee’s Season and Future
While McAtee has found playing time hard to come by this season, his impactful performances in limited appearances have earned him recognition from Guardiola and senior players like Kevin De Bruyne. The midfielder is seen as a key part of City’s future, and the club has reportedly ruled out any possibility of selling him this month.
Broader Transfer Plans at City
Manchester City’s focus in the January transfer window is firmly on strengthening their squad rather than facilitating departures. The club is linked with several targets, including Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, Atalanta’s Ederson, and RC Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, with a potential combined spend exceeding £100 million.
The need for reinforcements stems from injuries and form issues that have plagued Guardiola’s side this season. While City remain active in the market, they are equally committed to retaining their top young talent, including McAtee.
Conclusion
James McAtee’s future remains firmly at Manchester City, despite interest from Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. Pep Guardiola’s confidence in the midfielder and City’s long-term plans for his development underline his importance to the squad. While the Bundesliga clubs may be keen, McAtee is set to remain a key part of City’s ambitions as they navigate a challenging campaign.