Man City are at risk of shedding ANOTHER younger star after Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers – as Bayer Leverkusen lead the chase with midfielder’s contract working out

Bayer Leverkusen are emerging as contenders to sign Manchester City midfielder James McAtee.

The 22-year old came off the bench to play a decisive cameo in City’s much sought-after victory over Leicester City on Sunday and it left the appreciative away support singing his name.

McAtee has endured a frustrating time watching on from the sidelines during a desperate run of just two wins in 14 games and despite being promised minutes by manager Pep Guardiola at the start of the campaign.

He has 18 months left on his current deal and, with City yet to engage in new contract negotiations, his situation has alerted a number of interested clubs.

Leverkusen have taken a keen interest as they see McAtee as perfect for their style of play 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 Europe’s elite.

Red Bull Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Bologna and Fiorentina also have him on their radar while Premier League sides Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brentford and Crystal Palace would be prepared to make moves this window should the £25million-rated England U21 international become available.

James McAtee (left) impressed during Man City’s 2-0 victory at Leicester City on Sunday

Cole Palmer (right) has become one of the Premier League’s best players since leaving City

Pep Guardiola had warm words to say about McAtee after his cameo against Leicester

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 potential the youngster has, coming from a group that produced Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Morgan Rogers and recognises he could become an even greater talent.

The manager said: ‘He’s a player from a generation we had at Manchester City that’s been unbelievable; Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, Taylor Harwood-Bellis… Incredible, incredible players came from there, and Macca is one of this generation. He was captain of this generation.

‘That’s why, when I said to Txiki (Begiristain), and I know it’s unfair to say [now] because, “Ah you asked him to stay, after you didn’t give him minutes he deserved”, that’s fair. It’s right! But always I had the feeling that guy could play with us. He could play.

‘I’m very pleased for him because he’s an incredibly lovely guy, trained really good, never one bad face, and he won these minutes. 

‘It’s simple. All players, when you want to ask for something, on the green! On the green is the best place to show, and Macca proved it.

‘There isn’t a doubt; not just today, but in the past.

‘There are things that sometimes feel unfair. Sometimes in the situation we are living, always you have the feeling to give responsibility to senior players, not young ones. 

‘But sometimes senior players have more pressure than young ones that don’t have anything to defend. It’s just they want to conquer the world…

Morgan Rogers came back to haunt his former club when he scored in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win 

Former Man City starlet Liam Delap has impressed for Ipswich this season, scoring six goals

James McAtee’s opportunities may be reduced further if Man City sign more stars in January

‘And I had the feeling before the game that if today I have to make a substitution, the first would be James. I felt it. He can play on the wing, in the pockets, in striker…

‘What I’m pleased of most is every action has been good! He didn’t make one wrong action! In the position he was, defensively I think he grew up a lot in Sheffield, it made him so, so mature.’

However, City are still looking to strengthen their squad in the coming weeks and more attacking additions could have a further knock-on effect to McAtee’s progress.

Though Kevin De Bruyne is showing signs that injuries have taken their toll and could yet depart in the summer, City still have an array of fierce competition in attacking midfield positions.