Bayer Leverkusen make approach for James McAtee which could see Newcastle United missing out on talented midfielder

Newcastle United have been credited with an interest in Manchester City midfielder James McAtee this month.

James McAtee is the latest star off the Man City production line and is one that Pep Guardiola has high hopes for.

We've seen City sell a lot of their top academy products and go on to be stars with Cole Palmer the biggest example of this, and it's something that Guardiola wants to avoid when it comes to 22-year-old McAtee.

Newcastle have been sniffing around the midfielder but it was never going to be a move that they made in January with PSR being what it is.

Bayer Leverkusen want James McAtee on loan with an option to buy

It's now looking like Newcastle's inability to move in this window could be their undoing with Fabrizio Romano claiming that Bayer Leverkusen have made an approach to take McAtee on loan this month with an option to buy in the summer.

"🚨⚫️🔴 EXCL: Bayer Leverkusen have approached Man City to sign James McAtee.

"Loan + option offered to City; Xabi Alonso, huge fan as he’s 1st choice to replace injured Terrier.

"❗️ Man City and Pep Guardiola are reluctant to let him go as feel he can become a regular starter."

Newcastle could still make a move in the summer

Romano has also backed up the story that Pep Guardiola wants to keep hold of McAtee and would be very reluctant to let him leave.

However, it won't all be down to Pep and there's a chance that the move could still go through.

It's only an option to buy that has been proposed, so Newcastle aren't out of the race entirely, but it still feels like a very unlikely move.