James McAtee to join Jobe Bellingham or Erik ten Hag? Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen among five Bundesliga teams interested in Man City youngster

According to a report from ESPN, the Manchester City midfielder has attracted serious interest from five Bundesliga clubs – Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig and Stuttgart. Reports say that the Premier League giants are willing to sell the England U21 international for about €29 million (£25m/$31m), but only if two conditions are met: a buy-back option and a sell-on percentage.

McAtee, 22, is a product of City's youth academy and was part of the England squad that won the 2025 European Under-21 Championship, beating Germany 3-2 in the final at the weekend. He has spent two seasons on loan at Sheffield United before returning to City in 2024. Despite showing promise, he remains on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans, prompting the club to consider a permanent transfer.

Sky Sports said that Leverkusen, now coached by ex-Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, wanted to sign McAtee, and Bild claimed that Dortmund looked into making a deal in January. Fulham and other teams in the Premier League additionally enquired about him.

While ESPN cited a €29 million (£25m/$34m) valuation, Bild suggested McAtee could be available for as low as €20m (£17m/$21m). A move to Dortmund would see him join up with fellow Englishman Jobe Bellingham, who joined from Sunderland this summer.

McAtee made 27 appearances for Manchester City in the 2024–25 season, mostly as a substitute, scoring seven goals. He will hope to show that he's capable of much more if he makes a summer transfer.