Opinion & Comment

Nottingham Forest departure could dispel popular fan myth from 12 months ago

Add as preferred source on Google

The transfer window ahead of the 2025/26 campaign for Nottingham Forest proved somewhat chaotic.

Forest were sweating over which European competition they would compete in, and as a result, that led to a delay in the club recruiting a large chunk of their signings.

In the background, unrest was rumbling between Nuno Espirito Santo and Edu, with the pair coming to verbal blows over the decision by the club not to sign Adama Traoré.

With Espirito Santo now facing a season in the Championship with West Ham, it would appear he’s eyeing a Forest player, and it could dispel a popular myth.

🤔STICK OR TWIST: Should Nottingham Forest give James McAtee another year to prove himself?

James McAtee leaving Forest for West Ham could be telling

McAtee has been linked with a move to West Ham after failing to make much of an impact last season.

A £30 million switch from Manchester City to Forest saw him play more in Europe than he did in the Premier League, and that will be a worry for the player.

James McAtee in action for Nottingham Forest against West Ham.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

West Ham could offer him a way to play more frequently, and it could also suggest that Espirito Santo did want him at Forest.

Edu was largely criticised for the summer signings, with many of the belief that Espirito Santo had very little say in exactly who arrived at the club last summer.

McAtee joining West Ham, however, would imply that Espirito Santo was actually on board with some of the summer recruitment made by Forest 12 months ago.

🤝Oliver Glasner is the new Nottingham Forest head coach but what is the one piece of advice you would give the new man?

Rate the appointment out of 10! 👇

Some Forest fans were keen to try and beat Edu with whichever stick they could and although he deserved the boot, he wasn’t completely responsible for the haphazard transfer window.

McAtee heading out on loan might prove pretty good business from a Forest perspective, although it feels likely that Glasner will want to take a look at all of his players first.

Forest’s recruitment does naturally need to be better this summer but with Glasner now at the helm there is a real sense that the club will get things right.