Credit: Imago / Sky Sports YouTube

Harri Burton

Tue 28 April 2026 16:00, UK

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James McAtee has flopped massively since arriving at Nottingham Forest on a £30million deal from Manchester City.

The 23-year-old has played under four different managers since making the switch from the Etihad Stadium, and in that time, he’s been afforded just 174 minutes in the Premier League.

His main appearances have come in the Europa League, notching a goal and an assist, with far less riding on the games in Europe, and it has become clear that Vitor Pereira clearly doesn’t rate the playmaker.

Forest’s transfer chiefs are already making plans ahead of the summer transfer window, and it is obvious that the new manager has a huge impact on who the Reds sign ahead of next season.

Vitor Pereira prepares to reunite with Marshall Munetsi

According to Foot Mercato journalist (28 April), Forest are close to an agreement for Paris FC’s Marshall Munetsi, who left Premier League strugglers Wolves on loan during the winter transfer window.

The player’s main priority is to remain in Ligue 1, having notched four goals and an assist, and enjoying himself in France, though discussions are yet to take place between the parties.

Munetsi was a star player during Pereira’s time at Molineux Stadium, and it would appear that the duo could reunite next season, but this time at the City Ground.

This can only spell bad news for Forest’s current No.24, though, with McAtee doing very little to persuade anyone next to the River Trent that he was worth purchasing in the first place.

James McAtee is already in trouble at Nottingham Forest

McAtee has made a very limited impact during his first season at the City Ground, and it would appear that all signs point towards an early exit this summer.

Mick Brown told Football Insider that Forest may accept a cut-price bid for the 23-year-old, just 12 months after his arrival, but the struggle would be finding a new destination.

Leeds have already been linked with McAtee, but given their European aspirations, Daniel Farke and 49ers could choose a rather different route with their transfer plans this time around.

Whatever happens, it would appear that Pereira wants to offload the flop already, with Munetsi capable of playing anywhere in midfield. He’ll have to persuade the player about a return to England, though.