‘Special’ Man City player getting closer to leaving as German club open talks to sign him

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Bundesliga club Mainz are pushing hard to secure a deal for Manchester City’s FA Cup hero James McAtee, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.

McAtee produced an eye-catching display in Pep Guardiola’s side’s 8-0 win over Salford City in the FA Cup as the academy star netted a hat-trick.

After the match, the Man City boss told the media that McAtee is a ‘special, talented player’.

The forward looks set to be the Premier League champions’ next bright star, however, he just isn’t getting enough opportunities at the Etihad and is eager to leave.

James McAtee pushing to leave Man City this month

Mainz have held talks with Manchester City about a prospective deal for James McAtee – who is eager to leave the Etihad this month in search of regular first-team football, sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey.

McAtee considered his options in the summer and decided to stay following discussions with Pep Guardiola having just returned from a second loan spell at Sheffield United.

But that stance now seems to have changed as despite injuries and struggles – he has found his game time in Manchester limited.

The 22-year-old’s FA Cup display was just his fourth start of the season and now with just 18 months remaining on his current contract, he looks unlikely to commit to a new deal.

Where is James McAtee’s most likely destination?

TBR Football have previously revealed that McAtee has plenty of interest from Premier League clubs Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, Fulham and West Ham United.

There is also interest from Italian clubs Atalanta and Bologna who would like to take him to Serie A – but it appears his future could be in Germany.

RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are all big admirers, but now TBR Football understands that Mainz have made contact about a possible deal.

Mainz are enjoying a brilliant season and currently sit in fourth in the Bundesliga and they are ready to invest in January as they look to claim a Champions League berth.