‘Nottingham Forest to agree James McAtee deal – Pep Guardiola doesn’t rate him’
Nottingham Forest are in a strong position to agree a £30million signing this summer.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are coming off the back of an incredible Premier League season, where they defied expectations to record a seventh-place finish.
However, Forest have had an unusually quiet transfer window so far, making just three notable signings as well as losing star winger Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United.
Last month, Manchester City rejected a £25million bid from the Nottingham-based club for young midfielder James McAtee
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Forest have the funds to make a stronger approach for McAtee, and potentially seal the deal.
‘Guardiola doesn’t rate McAtee’
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained that as Forest made their first offer for McAtee when Morgan Gibbs-White was set for Tottenham, they may not feel the need to bid again at a higher price.
Gibbs-White was expected to join Spurs, but has now committed his future to Trentside after a dramatic U-turn.
Wyness added that he doesn’t understand why Guardiola doesn’t rate McAtee, as the England under-21 international is a big talent.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “When Morgan Gibbs-White was going to be going to Spurs, the McAtee deal was then mooted at that time. So maybe Forest’s position has changed slightly in terms of wanting to pay any more.
“He’s a talent. I don’t know why Pep doesn’t rate him. To me, he’s a really young, aspiring talent. City have got it wrong before, as we’ve seen. There have been players they’ve let go that have gone on to great things. I think he’ll be another one of those.
“I’d rather have seen him come to Everton, but certainly Forest have got a stronger position now, in terms of the price. I think he’ll end up being around £30million is what I would think will happen for that deal.”
Nottingham Forest join race for midfield star
Meanwhile, West Ham, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest are all keen on completing a loan deal for Douglas Luiz this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Juventus have taken disciplinary action against Luiz this summer after he failed to report for pre-season training, but sources have told Football Insider that this hasn’t deterred several interested English clubs.
Football Insider sources have said that both Forest and Man United have joined Everton and West Ham in the race to secure a loan deal for Luiz this summer, despite Juventus’ insistence on a permanent sale.
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