Report: Man City value McAtee at over £25 million as German Clubs Target Him | OneFootball

German Giants Battle for McAtee Signature

James McAtee’s time at Manchester City appears to be drawing to a close, with a growing list of Bundesliga sides lining up for his signature. The 22-year-old midfielder, who was instrumental in England’s Under-21 European Championship triumph, is being monitored by no fewer than five German clubs, including Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

Manchester City, aware of McAtee’s value and potential, are seeking upwards of £25 million for the Salford-born talent. McAtee, who has just a year remaining on his current deal, could be the latest graduate of City’s prolific academy to depart in search of regular top-level football.

Dortmund Among Leading Suitors

Borussia Dortmund have emerged as a particularly strong contender, especially with funds expected from the impending £50 million sale of Jamie Gittens to Chelsea. The club is keen to reinvest in young talent, and McAtee is viewed as a prime candidate given his technical ability and composure in midfield.

Pep Guardiola had hoped to retain McAtee’s services for the 2025/26 campaign. However, the player has grown increasingly concerned about his playing time and is now open to a move abroad. Having made 27 appearances for City this season—18 from the bench—McAtee still managed to score seven goals, including a standout hat-trick in the 8–0 FA Cup demolition of Salford City.

McAtee’s Impressive Credentials

McAtee’s pedigree is not in question. His leadership was on display as he captained England’s U21s to victory in Slovakia, even scoring in the quarter-final win over Spain. “We have qualified and it is a good opportunity to see what our real level is compared to the top European clubs,” said Esteve Calzada, CEO of Al-Hilal, reflecting the ambition surrounding young English players like McAtee in Europe.

Photo: IMAGO

His development at City, alongside the likes of Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, highlights the strength of the club’s academy. McAtee also had two productive loan spells at Sheffield United before returning to the Etihad for the 2024/25 season. Should a deal be struck, City are likely to insist on a buyback clause, following a trend with recent sales of academy products.

Bundesliga Clubs Circle as City Plan for Future

Alongside Dortmund and Leverkusen, Stuttgart, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt are all assessing McAtee’s situation. His international success and homegrown status make him an appealing prospect for clubs aiming to blend youth with ambition.

McAtee notably requested to be omitted from Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad in order to lead England’s Under-21 side—a decision that underlined his desire for responsibility and game time. With City now competing in the tournament in Orlando and potentially netting £47 million in prize money, squad changes are inevitable.

Elsewhere, former City full-back João Cancelo, now at Al-Hilal, and Kalidou Koulibaly—once mistakenly announced as a City signing—offer reminders of how quickly fortunes shift at elite level. For McAtee, the focus is clear: he wants to play, and Dortmund may be the next chapter in a story still unfolding.