Team Talk reports on Mainz's ambitious attempt to sign James McAtee amid competition from Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. Mainz are attempting an audacious move to sign the attacking midfielder James McAtee before German rivals Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. Guardiola and City have approved McAtee's departure as he will struggle to get starts in their first team.

Manchester City have reportedly decided to sell James McAtee, a product of their academy, for £25million (€29.5m / $30.4m) this month. McAtee, who has struggled to secure a regular place in Pep Guardiola's starting eleven, is prepared to move overseas to become a regular starter. Mainz, a surprise Bundesliga suitor, has set their sights on winning the chase for McAtee in an ambitious move, believing he could help them in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

James McAtee is reportedly unhappy with his playing time at Manchester City and is seeking a way out. FSV Mainz 05 has emerged as a surprising favorite in the race to acquire McAtee. A loan move is considered a realistic scenario. McAtee has only made seven appearances as a substitute in both the league and Champions League. Pep Guardiola acknowledges that McAtee deserves more playing time.

James McAtee, who is currently with Manchester City and has a contract lasting until June 2026, is contemplating a move to Germany during the winter transfer window. Mainz has expressed interest in McAtee, who has had limited playing time in the Premier League and Champions League this season. The 22-year-old midfielder, who has appeared in 11 matches and scored 4 goals across all competitions this season, is also drawing attention from other Bundesliga clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, and Stuttgart. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that the decision is now up to McAtee. It is possible that he has already said his goodbyes to Manchester City after scoring a hat-trick in an 8-0 FA Cup win against Salford.