Nottingham Forest are set to announce the signing of James McAtee after a £22m deal was agreed with Manchester City, but there’s a twist in the agreement that Reds fans may not like.
Forest’s interest in McAtee dates back to before the end of the 24/25 season, initially tied in the potential exit of Morgan Gibbs-White.
Therefore, when Gibbs-White signed a new contract, it was assumed that Forest would look elsewhere, but it seems as if Evangelos Marinakis was dead set on securing the young Englishman.
With McAtee’s move to Forest now imminent, one aspect of the agreement between the two sides may not be one that Reds fans welcome.
Details of James McAtee’s Nottingham Forest move revealed
Given that Forest wanted McAtee through the door before the Brentford game, everyone behind the scenes will be rushing to get the fine details sorted ahead of Friday lunchtime’s registration deadline.
Focusing on the finances of the deal, though, Fabrizio Romano and others have confirmed that Forest will pay an initial £22m for McAtee, with the total package thought to be worth £30m.
However, the inclusion of both a sell-on and a buy-back clause may be of concern to Reds fans, who won’t like the idea that Nuno Espírito Santo could develop the attacking midfielder to a level where City can capitalise on a bargain deal.
On the positive side, though, McAtee is exactly the type of signing that Forest should be completing to make regular European football a possibility, with his role in Espírito Santo’s side already mapped out.
Nottingham Forest already have plans for James McAtee
Given that he was scouted as a Gibbs-White alternative, it would make sense for his role in the Forest squad to be that of a capable backup to the talisman, perhaps even alongside him in a wide role.
However, according to The Athletic, Espírito Santo sees him fitting into a slightly deeper role in the starting XI to complement Gibbs-White.
The report said: “Forest see McAtee as capable of playing as a No 8 or No 10, and Nuno Espirito Santo has been keen to strengthen in midfield this summer following the sales of Danilo and Lewis O’Brien to Botafogo and Wrexham respectively.
“[…] The 22-year-old has played many of his games on the right, but is also capable of operating as a number 10 or even as an orthodox midfielder.”
Clearly, McAtee’s exceptional technical ability makes him an asset wherever he is on the pitch, with his education under Pep Guardiola set to grace the City Ground very soon.
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