Leeds United and West Ham-linked star 'admired' by European side amid uncertainty over ex-Sheffield United man

McAtee was welcomed back into the Manchester City fold in the summer after two seasons out on loan at Sheffield United.

His time in South Yorkshire had been productive and he is still fondly remembered by the Bramall Lane faithful.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for McAtee upon his return but has used him in the Premier League just twice this term.

The 22-year-old stepped off the bench against Ipswich Town in August and made a cameo appearance against Nottingham Forest last week.

According to The Boot Room, Bayer Leverkusen are admirers of both McAtee and his Manchester City teammate Oscar Bobb. This could prove handy for Manchester City, who have been linked with Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.

McAtee has also been linked with West Ham and Crystal Palace, who are both reportedly keen on luring him away from the Etihad Stadium.

Leeds looked at McAtee in the summer, although it was decided he would be staying put.

Speaking about the interest in the summer, Leeds’ chief executive officer Angus Kinnear said: “Two of the other players, looking at the level we were looking at, McAtee at Man City, there was talk he might be released all the way through the window and then Pep [Guardiola] decided to keep him.”

Leeds deployed Georginio Rutter in behind the number nine last term, but lost the creative Frenchman to Brighton & Hove Albion in August.

Brenden Aaronson has been used in the position this season following his return from a season-long loan at Union Berlin.