McAtee nears Nottingham Forest move

Manchester City midfielder James McAtee is close to joining Nottingham Forest after agreeing personal terms as fee talks continue.

McAtee nears Nottingham Forest move

Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest, with fee negotiations ongoing. Forest are negotiating with City after the academy graduate, 22, spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and returned to the Etihad aiming for a first team breakthrough. City reportedly rejected several offers around £25 million and are holding out for close to the £42.5 million they received for Cole Palmer, making the transfer a delicate balance of ambition and price.

Forest appear to have the edge in the race to sign McAtee, with a move likely to be completed before the new season. The deal comes as City look to move players on ahead of a busy campaign, including Jack Grealish, who is approaching a loan move to Everton with an option to buy. Tottenham have also shown interest in Savinho, though City value him highly and would consider a sale only if a buyer matches their price. Guardiola is setting plans this week to prepare for the trip to Molineux, while squad players cope with a few fitness concerns ahead of the season.

City’s approach with McAtee illustrates a broader policy: nurture homegrown talent but monetize when a player’s path to regular minutes stalls. The move would ease rotation pressures and free funds for new signings, yet it also tests City’s ability to maintain a pipeline of young players who can contribute later. For Forest, landing a technically gifted midfielder could inject energy and creativity, though a premium price raises questions about return on investment in a squad still adapting to life in the Premier League. The market’s current dynamics—high asking prices and appetite for young talent—signal that price tags may outpace short term certainty.

Highlights

The transfer window keeps turning, and both clubs will judge the move by what McAtee can deliver on the field next season.