TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Nottingham Forest are ready to make a move for Manchester City talent James McAtee, who is also wanted by Tottenham Hotspur.
The Reds have enjoyed a bright season in the Premier League and remain in the picture to qualify for the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are in the Europa League final and, should they triumph over Manchester United, they’ll also be in the Champions League.
Both teams will be keen on strengthening their ranks and McAtee, who has come through the ranks at Manchester City, is in their sights.
TBR Football can also reveal McAtee’s stance towards a potential departure from City this summer.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest now interested in signing £50m attacker who Newcastle were leading the race for
James McAtee keen on regular first-team football as Nottingham Forest and Tottenham circle
Nottingham Forest are ready to make a summer move for Manchester City’s James McAtee, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands.
McAtee has little over 12 months left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and the interest in him is heating up.
As TBR Football previously revealed, Bayer Leverkusen are huge fans of McAtee.
They see him as an ideal signing to help replace Florian Wirtz, who is set to depart this summer.
Fellow Bundesliga club RB Leipzig are also closely following him – as they look set to lose Xavi Simons.
But whilst McAtee has the chance to move to Germany, the interest in England is strong.
Tottenham showed an interest in January and remain keen, but TBR Football understands that Forest are set to make a big play for McAtee.
The 22-year-old has impressed hugely this term as he has been given more chances by Pep Guardiola.
However, first-team football is something that McAtee desires and, having seen Cole Palmer emerge at Chelsea, he could follow a similar path.
Forest, for their part, are in danger of losing Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, and it is easy to see McAtee as the ideal replacement for him.
Ironically, Gibbs-White and McAtee could very well swap clubs this summer.
What James McAtee could bring to Nottingham Forest or Tottenham
McAtee has come through the ranks at Man City and made his debut in 2021. He has 33 competitive appearances and seven goals to his name for the club.
The 22-year-old also took in two loans at Sheffield United in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, making 75 outings and registering 14 goals and eight assists.
Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig said McAtee boasted numerous strengths, such as pace, passing, vision, creativity, technique, ball control and long shots.
Kulig also likened McAtee’s style of play to James Rodriguez, the Colombia legend who played for the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in his prime.
Meanwhile, Breaking the Lines said he is ‘an attacking midfielder that makes everything he does on the ball look effortless and second nature.’
Pep Guardiola has previously spoken very highly of McAtee, telling reporters after his hat-trick against Salford City: “He’s an exceptional guy and he has a special talent.
“When he plays close to the opposition, he has an incredible sense of goal. His work ethic is unbelievable and he is aggressive.”
