Premier League clubs on red alert for James McAtee as contact made for Nottingham Forest transfer
James McAtee’s future at Nottingham Forest has been under heavy scrutiny in recent weeks after he joined from Manchester City in the summer.
The East Midlands outfit shelled out a fee of around £30million to secure the services of the England U21 star in the summer, but he has since found gametime extremely hard to come by in the Premier League.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that McAtee is assessing his situation at Forest in January, with Leeds United showing an interest in striking a deal.
Sean Dyche’s side initially showed little interest in entertaining the idea of letting McAtee leave this winter, either on a permanent deal or on loan, but the landscape could now be about to change.
Nottingham Forest Fisayo Dele-Bashiru enquiry to prompt McAtee exit
Forest have been pleased with McAtee’s attitude in training despite the lack of football that he has received so far this term, and that has been a key reason behind their desire to keep him so far.
The 23-year-old has played just 170 minutes of Premier League football since his move from Manchester City in the summer, but Dyche and Co. have been keen to keep him around at the City Ground.
However, that could now be about to change in the coming weeks, as Forest have made contact over a potential move for Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, according to La Lazia Siamo Noi.
The Reds have already made an enquiry for the 24-year-old, who is currently away at AFCON with Nigeria, and have been told that it will take an initial fee of £13m plus bonuses to secure his signature.
With Forest having made a move towards a potential new midfielder, clubs across the Premier League will surely be on red alert over McAtee.
There would undoubtedly be no shortage of suitors for the youngster if Forest’s stance were to alter, and the potential of a new arrival in his position could have many teams feeling that they have a chance to land him this month.
Why James McAtee will struggle to leave Nottingham Forest this winter
West Ham showed a strong interest in McAtee last summer, and it would be no surprise to see them try and make a move for him again this time around if the chance arose.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are fighting for their lives at the foot of the Premier League table, but Forest are highly unlikely to be willing to potentially strengthen a direct relegation rival.
The same can be said for Leeds United, whose recent improvement has seen them leapfrog Dyche’s men in the table in recent weeks.
The issue that McAtee will then face is that teams who are higher up in the table are unlikely to be keen to take him on a loan deal, while the possibility of a Championship move would represent too much of a drop in quality for him.
With that in mind, unless a perfect fit emerges in the Premier League in the coming weeks, then McAtee may have to bide his time until the summer, irrespective of who else joins the Reds’ ranks.