Nottingham Forest close in on big-money deal for Manchester City’s James McAtee | OneFootball

Manchester City are closing in on an agreement to sell James McAtee on a permanent deal this summer, with Nottingham Forest appearing to be the successful suitor.

The 22-year-old has been one of the more in-demand names in Manchester City’s squad during the ongoing summer transfer window, attracting interest from multiple Premier League clubs and leading sides in Germany.

McAtee’s reputation has grown rapidly since his two loan spells at Sheffield United and first campaign with Pep Guardiola’s squad during the last year, where he demonstrated composure on the ball, sharp creative instincts, and a maturity beyond his years.

For City, McAtee represents the latest example of a homegrown academy talent who has developed into a valuable asset. However, with Pep Guardiola boasting one of the deepest midfield rosters in Europe, breaking into the starting XI has proved an uphill challenge.

The likes of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, and Mateo Kovačić have all contributed to a highly competitive midfield environment, making the prospect of consistent minutes elsewhere more attractive for the England Under-21 captain.

Interest in McAtee has not been limited to Nottingham Forest. Earlier in the window, Tottenham were linked with a move, while Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt were also mentioned. Despite these options, Forest’s persistence and willingness to meet City’s demands appear to have put them in pole position.

Now, according to the information of Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest are now closing in on a deal for James McAtee, with an agreement in the final stages for a fee in excess of £20 million.

Amid confidence from the side of Forest, follow-up reporting from Romano also revealed that personal terms are fully agreed with the player, who wants Forest despite several requests across the game for his signature this summer.

If completed, this move would provide Forest with a dynamic creative option capable of operating both centrally and in wider areas. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been building a squad to not only survive in recent years, but now also progress in the Premier League and compete in the UEFA Europa League during the forthcoming campaign.

McAtee’s style of play – combining technical flair with tactical awareness – would suit a team looking to control possession and create more from midfield. For City, the sale continues their trend of generating significant revenue from academy graduates while including sell-on clauses or buy-back options where possible.

Such details have not yet been confirmed in James McAtee’s case, but they could prove crucial if he continues his rapid development. With the deal edging closer, the next step will be for Nottingham Forest to integrate McAtee into their system ahead of the new season.

Should the transfer be completed in the coming days, it could go down as one of the standout under-the-radar signings of the summer, with James McAtee a highly-rated starlet within the Manchester City system despite a realisation that his future lies elsewhere.