Interest in James McAtee intensifies as Manchester City brace for opening bids | OneFootball

Manchester City officials are now bracing themselves for opening bids from within the Premier League and perhaps further afield for midfielder James McAtee.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has long been on the radar of top-flight teams due to his technical flair, attacking instinct, and Premier League experience despite limited appearances under Pep Guardiola over the course of last season.

McAtee spent two consecutive campaigns on loan at Sheffield United, where despite the Blades’ eventual relegation from the Premier League in the second of those seasons, he stood out as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise turbulent campaign.

With his creativity and ability to operate across midfield, McAtee earned plaudits for his composure and decision-making in high-pressure scenarios — qualities that have inevitably attracted interest from clubs hoping to secure a young, dynamic option ahead of next season.

Manchester City have remained firm in their stance on McAtee this summer: they will not allow him to leave cheaply, especially given the growing number of admirers in both the Premier League and Bundesliga.

And with midfield reinforcements required at several clubs, the competition is heating up — setting up a potential bidding war for the Salford-born playmaker who remains highly-rated within the Etihad Stadium but perhaps surplus to requirements for the time being.

According to the information of MailSport’s Simon Jones and Tom Collomosse, James McAtee is high on the list of those at Nottingham Forest – who are now believed to be weighing up an an initial bid.

It is claimed that the City Ground club are leaning towards an initial offering in the region of £25 million plus add-ons for the Salford-born playmaker, though City value their homegrown talent at closer to £40 million.

Additional reporting from Football Transfers’ Steve Kay also states that Everton are eager to finalise a deal for McAtee after holding talks with his representatives last week as well as West Ham, with the Merseyside club having made a strong impression on the player.

An unnamed Bundesliga club is also said to have negotiated with James McAtee’s representatives last week, amid reports from Germany suggesting that the player has scheduled a visit and meeting with Eintracht Frankfurt.

The level of interest surrounding McAtee is indicative not just of his potential, but of his readiness for regular senior football. Nottingham Forest may need to raise their valuation to make any real progress, while Everton have been proactive in recent windows when it comes to securing young domestic talent.

As for West Ham, their technical leadership believing McAtee fits the club’s new recruitment model, targeting energetic and intelligent young players could be enticing, and the East London side could enter the race if Forest’s early efforts stall.

From Germany, Eintracht Frankfurt’s previously reported interest now appears to be part of a broader strategy by Bundesliga clubs to lure top English talent abroad. A visit and direct meeting between the club and McAtee is thought to be scheduled in the coming days — suggesting serious intent and ongoing negotiations behind the scenes.

With City looking to offload fringe talent this summer to raise funds for reinvestment, McAtee’s future could be resolved sooner rather than later — especially if City receive an offer that aligns with their valuation and includes a favourable sell-on clause or buy-back option.

The next fortnight could prove pivotal in shaping where James McAtee begins the next chapter of his career — and with the player himself likely eager for consistent minutes, a move away from the Etihad Stadium now appears increasingly likely.