Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Tue 12 August 2025 12:09, UK

James McAtee’s arrival at Nottingham Forest may not be well-received by the entire squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

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The 22-year-old has struggled for minutes under Pep Guardiola since graduating from the academy, much to the frustration of Man City fans.

Still, there is no doubt over his abilities on the pitch, hence the Premier League interest in his signature.

And it appears that Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side have won the race for him.

According to Fabrizio Romano (11 August), the Reds are optimistic of sealing the move for McAtee within the next two deals after reaching a verbal agreement with the player, who is keen on the deal.

Football Insider revealed that Cole Palmer’s move to Chelsea set the benchmark for the Citizens over the academy product’s impending departure, and a sizeable fee looks to have been achieved.

The 22-year-old’s talents lie at attacking midfield, where Morgan Gibbs-White is often stationed, but there is absolutely no way that the England international will be making way for the youngster.

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Espirito Santo likely still has business left to do, especially with Ibrahim Sangare being rumoured to depart just days before the start of the season, and very few able to fill his position for the Reds.

Nicolas Dominguez likes to fly forward, Ryan Yates has a reduced role, and Danilo has been sold to Botafogo for £19million, leaving Sangare as the only natural option at the base of midfield.

Nuno Espirito Santo is ringing the changes for Nottingham Forest.

(Credit: Imago)

If the Ivory Coast international is to leave, and McAtee is to squeeze himself into the lineup next to Gibbs-White, the one true loser from this set of circumstances will be Elliot Anderson.

Towards the end of the last season, the 22-year-old was given free license to roam forward, later showing his abilities in the final third during England Under-21s Euro title-winning campaign.

It has become clear that the former Newcastle United star has so much more to offer than battling away in front of the defence before laying the ball off, much like Sangare does in the middle of the park.

Of course, having him to break up the play and allowing the likes of McAtee and Gibbs-White to express themselves will be a positive for Forest, but it will only hinder his performances on the pitch.

Elliot Anderson has become a key figure for Nottingham Forest.

(Copyright: xGrantxWinterx)

He notched two goals and six assists in the 2024/25 Premier League season, with another two goal contributions on international duty, but that will no longer be the case if he is forced backwards.

The likelihood is that Forest sign someone new, such as Soungoutou Magassa, and McAtee is used from the bench, but until a deal is done at the City Ground, Anderson’s position will be threatened next term.

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