Stefan Borson reveals how Man City could trigger James McAtee buy-back clause

Manchester City are only likely to trigger the buy-back clause in James McAtee to make further profit on the academy product.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old doesn't have a future at the Etihad Stadium.

Nottingham Forest agreed a deal worth up to £30million for the midfielder in the summer of 2025, but his first season at the City Ground was fairly disappointing.

However, under Oliver Glasner, he has burst into life in a deeper role, prompting questions over how much Man City's buy-back clause is.

The exact figure is not known amongst fans, but many have predicted that the Citizens could buy him back next summer for £65m.

Many at the Etihad believe that McAtee would be perfect for Enzo Maresca's squad, while others cannot see a return for the academy product.

James McAtee unlikely to return to Man City

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson believes the only way Man City trigger the buy-back clause is to sell him once again for more profit.

"I don't think it's very likely. City have not even really done that [trigger a buy-back clause] even where they could have done," he said.

"So if you look at, say the situation with Liam Delap, they could have done something similar but effectively chose not to, or maybe just the way that the thing was structured gave Delap the option to say no.

"In which case he benefits from the lower fee when he moved to Chelsea. It's hard to know precisely, but I think it's very unlikely that McAtee would ever be back at City playing-wise.

"But, as I say, they may well try and get some value out of the option that they've got for him because he's made a brilliant start to the season from what we can tell.

"I haven't watched a lot of Forest. I watched bits and pieces, but certainly it comes across that he's playing very, very well."

Do Man City fans want him back?

Despite the player leaving on a permanent deal, Man City fans are still watching McAtee's performances with a smile on their faces.

He looks like an entirely different player in a deep-lying midfield role, and fans are hoping for the club to trigger the buy-back clause next summer.