Man City reject James McAtee loan offer as Bayer Leverkusen turn focus to Aston Villa attacker?

The England Under-21 international has been linked with a winter departure in a bid to gain regular game time elsewhere.

McAtee, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, has failed to start any of his six Premier League appearances this season, although he did get on the scoresheet in a 6-0 win over Ipswich Town earlier this month.

The 22-year-old has scored a total of five goals in 14 competitive matches, including a hat-trick in an 8-0 demolition of League Two Salford City in the FA Cup.

While has shown plenty of promise, McAtee has seemingly failed to convince Pep Guardiola that he is worthy of a greater role in the Man City side.

Man City reject Leverkusen loan move

Leverkusen were seemingly prepared to offer McAtee a Bundesliga escape route before the transfer window shuts on February 3.

However, according to The Telegraph, Man City have rejected Leverkusen's formal proposal to sign McAtee on an initial loan deal.

The report claims that the Bundesliga champions were looking to sign the attacker on loan with an option to make the move permanent for £5m in the summer.

McAtee was said to be keen on the chance to play for Xabi Alonso's side, having become dissatisfied with his lack of action at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City ultimately decided to turn down the offer after Pep Guardiola informed McAtee of his desire to retain his services for the second half of the season.

Leverkusen turn attention to Buendia

Having failed in their efforts to sign McAtee, Leverkusen have quickly turned their focus to pursuing a deal for Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia.

As per journalist Florian Plettenburg, the German club have already reached an agreement with the Premier League club to sign the Argentine.

Leverkusen will sign Buendia on an initial loan deal while holding the option to make the switch permanent at the end of the season.

The former Norwich City attacker is now set to undergo a medical before he can be unveiled as the latest member of Leverkusen's squad.

Buendia will join a side that are sitting in second place in the Bundesliga, residing in eighth spot in the Champions League league phase and competing in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Pokal.

Written by

Ben Sully