Forest strike deals for McAtee and Hutchinson

James McAtee made 15 Premier League appearances last season for Manchester City but only three starts

Nottingham Forest moves for James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson

Nottingham Forest are close to two big moves in this transfer window, reportedly agreeing deals worth up to £67 million for Manchester City midfielder James McAtee and Ipswich Town forward Omari Hutchinson. The package includes a buy-back option for City on McAtee and a sell-on clause, giving Forest flexibility as they push to improve their squad. McAtee, 22, logged 15 Premier League appearances last season but started only three times with most of his senior experience coming from loans. Hutchinson, 21, featured 32 times for Ipswich during their relegation campaign, scoring three goals and adding two assists. Neither player is expected to feature in Sunday’s Premier League opener against Brentford due to registration deadlines and lack of medicals on the books.

Forest have also completed deals for Dan Ndoye and the Botafogo duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha, widening their options across the spine. Captain Morgan Gibbs-White has signed a new long-term contract amid unsolicited interest from Tottenham. With the window still open, Forest are signaling a clear intent to lift their league position this season while weighing the financial cost against longer-term growth.

Forest are signaling a bold shift from incremental upgrades to a more ambitious rebuild. The City buy-back option on McAtee provides a safety valve for the club while preserving a potential exit route for City if the project flourishes. Bringing in two England Under-21 prospects suggests a long-term plan that mixes youth with experience. Yet heavy spending raises questions about sustainability, wage structure, and how quickly results must follow to justify the price tag.

This approach mirrors a wider trend among mid-table clubs using structured deals to attract talent without surrendering control of their financial trajectory. The question now is whether Forest can translate this influx into a consistently competitive squad in a season that will test depth, stamina, and medical staff at a busy club.

Highlights

Time will tell if these moves pay off on the pitch.