CAS ruling to ‘launch James McAtee to Nottingham Forest deal over the line’
Nottingham Forest are preparing to purchase Manchester City star James McAtee following a European victory for the club.
The club have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old and it was exclusively revealed by Football Insider that a £35million Nottingham Forest bid would be accepted by Manchester City for McAtee.
McAtee has shown flashes of his potential from the bench at Man City and was part of the England under-21 side who won the Euros this summer.
The competition at Man City though means McAtee is unlikely to break into the side and the midfielder needs to kick start his career elsewhere with Forest now the perfect destination.
Forest’s positive summer continues
The Athletic [August 11] report that a deal for McAtee has edged closer to completion, just hours after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Nottingham Forest would take Crystal Palace’s place in the Europa League.
The prospect of Europa League football could make McAtee’s mind up on where he wants to play his football next season.
Everton were lining up a move for McAtee from Man City, but the Toffees cannot offer any European football compared to Forest.
Furthermore, whilst Crystal Palace’s transfer plans will take a significant hit from the decision from CAS, Forest should benefit from a boost in revenue from jumping up the European competition chain meaning the Tricky Trees are moving further ahead of their league rivals.
After Nottingham Forest tied star Morgan Gibbs-White down to a new contract, amid interest from Spurs, their summer has continued on an upward trajectory.
McAtee will be eager to prove himself at the City Ground if he joins and his ability to play either centrally or out wide is a bonus for Santo with European football to demand more from his squad this season.
Forest’s transfer hand improved by CAS ruling
When Forest secured Gibbs-White to a new deal, owner Evangelos Marinakis mentioned ambition and implied the need to keep hold of their best players.
Moving up to the Europa League will strengthen their hand further when it comes to player negotiations, and that could prove significant in beating rivals to signings, and it looks to have landed them McAtee.
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Transfer plans may now be altered in preparation for the step up in quality between the Europa League and Europa Conference, but the signing of McAtee would prove the club want to keep moving forward and this is also a positive step towards building for the future.
European football may impact league results next season, but Santo has been working to add depth to his squad and Forest look to be preparing well for the new campaign, with only the departure of Anthony Elanga a blow to the squad.