Leverkusen want young Manchester City talent
James McAtee eyed to safeguard Moussa Diaby’s injury
German champions Bayer Leverkusen are interested in Manchester City ‘s young attacking midfielder James McAtee, according to journalists Fabrizio Romano and Florian Plettenberg.
The 22-year-old is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, who sees him as an ideal replacement for Moussa Diaby , who is out injured until the end of the season.
The German club have submitted a loan offer with an option to buy. At this stage, however, it is unclear whether the youngster will be released by Manchester City .
McAtee has been given few opportunities this season as Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled to make it through the season. He has been used mainly as a substitute, making 14 appearances and scoring five goals so far, three of which came against lower-league side Salford in the FA Cup .
He recently scored his first Premier League goal for Manchester City in a 6–0 away win against Ipswich . In his career so far, the youngster has been loaned out twice to Sheffield United .
If the McAtee deal fails to materialise, Leverkusen are planning to turn to Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia.
