Bayer Leverkusen have emerged as contenders to sign Manchester City midfielder James McAtee.
The 22-year-old came off the bench to make a decisive cameo in City's coveted win over Leicester City on Sunday, leaving behind the appreciative support chanting his name.
McAtee has had a frustrating time watching from the sidelines during a desperate run of just two wins in 14 games and despite being handed minutes by manager Pep Guardiola at the start of the season.
He has 18 months left on his current contract and with City unwilling to enter new contract negotiations, his situation has alerted a number of interested clubs.
Leverkusen have shown keen interest as they see McAtee as perfect for their playing style and an ideal candidate to eventually take over from playmaker Florian Wirtz should he make a big-money departure in the summer, amid growing interest from the European elite.
Red Bull Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Bologna and Fiorentina also have him on their radar, while Premier League clubs Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brentford and Crystal Palace are said to be willing to make moves in this window if the England U21 international is with a worth £25 million becomes available.
Pep Guardiola embraced McAtee after his telling contribution against Leicester and the energy he brought could yet see him start against West Ham. Guardiola knows the youngster's potential, coming from a group that produced Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Morgan Rogers, and recognizes he could become an even greater talent.
The manager said: 'He's a player from a generation we had at Manchester City and that was incredible; Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis… That's where incredible, incredible players came from, and Macca is one of this generation. He was the captain of this generation.
'That's why, when I said to Txiki (Begiristain), and I know it's unfair to say 1735641872 because, “Ah, you asked him to stay after not giving him minutes he deserved,” that's fair. It's right! But I always had the feeling that boy could play with us. He could play.
'I am very happy for him because he is an incredibly nice guy, has trained very well, has never had one bad face and has won these minutes.
'It's simple. All players, if you want to ask something, on the green! The green is where you show your best, and Macca has proven that.
'There is no doubt; not only today, but also in the past.
'There are things that sometimes feel unfair. Sometimes in the situation we live in, you always feel like giving responsibility to senior players, not to youngsters.
'But sometimes older players have more pressure than young players who have nothing to defend. They just want to conquer the world…
'And I had the feeling before the game that if I had to make a substitution today, James would be the first. I felt it. He can play on the wing, in the pocket, as a striker…
'What I am most happy about is that every action has been good! He didn't take any wrong action! “Being in the position he was in, defensively I think he grew up in Sheffield a lot, it matured him so much.”
However, City are still looking to strengthen the squad in the coming weeks and more attacking additions could have a further knock-on effect on McAtee's progress.
Although Kevin De Bruyne is showing signs that injuries have taken their toll and could yet disappear this summer, City still face stiff competition in attacking midfield positions.
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