Newcastle United have been handed hope of completing a swoop for Manchester City youngster James McAtee in the summer, with German side Bayer Leverkusen reportedly dropping their interest.

The Magpies are said to be one of the teams who have shown an interest in the 22-year-old, but face competition from a number of other sides. City are also keen to keep hold of the player, who has been getting more game-time in recent weeks.

McAtee is seen as the ideal type of player to work under Eddie Howe - at a price point that won't break the bank. With Miguel Almiron looking likely to leave the club, Howe is keen to bring in a replacement. That is unlikely to be this month, but the plans for the summer have already started with Newcastle scouting a number of potential players, including McAtee.

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It did, though, seem that Leverkusen were winning the race for the England youth international. It's reported that the German outfit have made a loan offer for the forward, with the option to make that deal permanent for around £25million in the summer.

However, Sky in Germany report that a breakthrough in negotiations for Aston Villa's Emiliano Buendia has led to them, in turn, dropping their interest in McAtee. Buendia is reportedly set to undergo a medical with Leverkusen very soon. It leaves other clubs, including Newcastle, with added possibility of making a swoop for McAtee before the deadline comes and goes at 11pm on February 3.

In what could be another boost to Newcastle, The Telegraph report that McAtee has become 'frustrated' with his lack of game-time at the Etihad Stadium. The signing of Omar Marmoush and the imminent return of Oscar Bobb from injury could see that game-time reduce even more, with the academy graduate an unused substitute against Chelsea over the weekend.

Speaking about McAtee following last week's 6-0 win over Ipswich, where he was on the score-sheet, manager Pep Guardiola outlined his transfer wish for the youngster.

"He is such a good footballer and a lovely guy. Quite similar qualities as Phil [Foden]," he said. "It is not easy when you don't get so many minutes for your confidence. Hopefully, we can keep James for many years."

Newcastle may look to move for the player in the summer, although they do have other targets including Tyler Dibling, Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo.