James McAtee responds to Elliot Anderson amid Nottingham Forest transfer rumours
Man City midfielder James McAtee has responded to Elliot Anderson on social media amid rumours that he could be set to join the former Newcastle man at Nottingham Forest this summer.
McAtee has emerged through City’s academy to become a first-team player in recent years, but the majority of his senior game-time so far has come across two separate loan spells at Sheffield United.
The 22-year-old was included in Pep Guardiola’s squad last season, and while he figured 27 times in all competitions, he only made three league starts, so looks set to depart this summer in search of more consistent minutes.
Former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in May that Forest are considering a move to sign McAtee and have been keeping an eye on his situation at the Etihad.
He also revealed to Football Insider in June that Forest were one of numerous clubs sending scouts to watch McAtee at the Under-21 European Championships, which he helped England win with a goal and two assists in six appearances.
Elliot Anderson posts U-21 Euro highlight reel
Forest man Anderson was one of McAtee’s international teammates at the tournament in Slovakia, and he also featured in all six of England’s games while grabbing a goal and an assist each as the Young Lions emerged victorious.
The 22-year-old took to Instagram on Tuesday (8 July) to post a highlight reel of his best moments from the competition, with a simple caption of an England flag emoji and a trophy emoji.
Anderson saw his post reacted to by potential future club teammate McAtee, who commented two fire emojis in response, while Newcastle defender Tino Livramento commented: “what a playa,” and Liverpool man Tyler Morton replied: “Top player.”
The likes of Jacob Murphy, Jobe Bellingham, Leeds-linked Magpies man Sean Longstaff, Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams and Kieran Trippier all also reacted to the post by liking it.
Nottingham Forest are facing strong competition for McAtee
Football Insider verdict
McAtee is definitely a talented player who has a future in the Premier League, but that understandably may not be at Man City right now, especially after the Citizens recently signed highly-rated playmaker Rayan Cherki from Lyon.
Football Insider were told that a swap deal between the Reds and City for McAtee and Morgan Gibbs-White could happen earlier this summer, but Guardiola’s side are now surely less likely to sign another attacking midfielder, so Forest may now struggle to capture the 22-year-old.
| Appearances | Starts | Goals |
| 27 | 9 | 7 |
Football Insider revealed on 2 July that McAtee is planning to quit the Etihad Stadium permanently this summer, but Forest are facing strong competition after former scout Brown also revealed that Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are interested in McAtee, while he prefers a move abroad.
It would clearly be a great signing for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to pull off ahead of the new campaign, but the likelihood of it happening does seem slim, especially given the strong competition for places in midfield and attack at the City Ground.