Nottingham Forest are on the verge of landing Manchester City midfielder James McAtee after agreeing personal terms with the 22-year-old, with talks over a transfer fee now at an advanced stage.
According to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, negotiations remain ongoing, but both clubs are confident a deal will be struck. Forest are looking to wrap up the signing before the Premier League season kicks off, with McAtee set to finalise his move in the coming days.
The England Under-21 international returned to City last summer following two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, aiming to earn a place in Pep Guardiola’s first team. While Guardiola admitted late in the campaign that he “should have given him more opportunities,” McAtee was left out of the squad for both the FA Cup final and City’s final two league fixtures.
A decision to allow McAtee to represent England at this summer’s UEFA Under-21 European Championship instead of travelling to the FIFA Club World Cup with City all but sealed his departure.
Interest from several German clubs failed to progress after City rejected multiple bids in the region of £25m, holding out for a figure closer to the £42.5m received from Chelsea for Cole Palmer.
Forest now appear to have won the race, with McAtee — who did not travel with City to Palermo last weekend — set to join Nuno Espírito Santo’s side as their latest high-profile recruit.
City’s midfield reshuffle is part of a broader squad shake-up. Jack Grealish is closing in on a loan move to Everton, with the Merseyside club holding a £50m option to make the deal permanent next summer. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have enquired about Brazilian winger Savinho, although City remain resistant to a sale.
Savinho, 21, featured in three of City’s four Club World Cup matches and came off the bench in Palermo in what appeared to be a dress rehearsal for this weekend’s trip to Wolves. City are not entertaining offers below £50m but could reconsider if the player pushes for a move, particularly with competition for places in Guardiola’s attack fierce.
City’s preparations for the Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers have been complicated by fitness concerns, with Rodri still short of full match sharpness, Mateo Kovacic sidelined through injury, and Phil Foden nursing a knock.
Guardiola has admitted City “may not be at their best” in the opening weeks of the season as they navigate injuries and squad changes.