‘Man City to accept Nottingham Forest bid for James McAtee on one condition’
Nottingham Forest could be set to win the race for Manchester City youngster James McAtee.
McAtee is a product of Man City’s youth system and notched seven goals in 27 appearances across all competitions last season, despite being limited to just nine starts and 342 minutes of Premier League action.
The midfielder turns 23 in October and must now think carefully about where he plays his football next season, with regular first-team opportunities key to his development.
But McAtee isn’t exactly short of options, with clubs from England and Germany understood to be keen admirers.
Nottingham Forest undeterred by McAtee asking price
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider (16 July) that McAtee was spotted in a Liverpool hotel amid interest from the Toffees.
However, a deal may be difficult to strike for Everton, with Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt also thought to be very keen on bringing McAtee aboard this summer.
According to The Telegraph (20 July), the aforementioned clubs had been hoping to agree a deal in the region of £20-25million for McAtee.
However, Man City are understood to want closer to £35m for the homegrown star, whose sale would do huge favours to the club’s PSR position.
While that fee may put some clubs off, Nottingham Forest are thought to remain keen on a move amid uncertainty over the future of Morgan Gibbs-White, though there is plenty of negotiating to be done between all parties.
McAtee signing could be vital amid Gibbs-White uncertainty
Football Insider verdict
As mentioned, the future of Gibbs-White remains anyone’s guess.
Man City themselves had been linked with the England international earlier this summer, before Tottenham quickly emerged as the frontrunner for his signature.
Interest in Gibbs-White was understandable, given his seven-goal and 10-assist haul in the Premier League last season — helping Nottingham Forest qualify for the Uefa Conference League.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Morgan Gibbs-White | James McAtee |
| Appearances | 34 | 15 |
| Goals | 7 | 3 |
| Assists | 8 | 0 |
| Minutes | 2,822 | 342 |
However, what seemed like a done deal now looks to be in choppy waters, with Gibbs-White unable to undergo a medical with Spurs as Forest recalled him for pre-season training, with no agreement yet made between the two clubs.
Regardless, it’s understood Gibbs-White has his heart set on a move to Spurs, who will play in the Champions League next season after winning the Europa League.
With that in mind, Forest may have no choice but to ramp up their interest in McAtee, who will have the unenviable task of filling the hole left by Gibbs-White on his hands.