Nottingham Forest Secures Agreement with England Under-21 Star, Unveiling Salient Contract Terms
Nottingham Forest Secure £30 Million Deal for James McAtee
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of James McAtee from Manchester City for a fee that could rise up to £30 million, according to reports. The deal includes a £22 million fixed fee, with an additional £8 million in add-ons [1][2][3]. The transfer also includes sell-on and buy-back clauses favoring Manchester City.
McAtee, an England Under-21 international, spent 12 years at Manchester City, progressing through their youth academy and making 34 senior appearances with 7 goals before this move [1]. The 21-year-old midfielder had expressed his desire for a move away from Manchester City due to limited game time last season.
Nuno Espirito Santo, the Nottingham Forest manager, led the signing of McAtee, who is capable of playing as a no.8 or no.10 [2]. McAtee's contract at Nottingham Forest is expected to be finalised this week.
Last season, McAtee made 27 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City, but only started three games. He scored seven goals, including a hat-trick in an FA Cup third round win over Salford City [1]. McAtee also has European experience, having featured five times in the Champions League for Manchester City last season and scoring once.
McAtee's impressive performances for England at the Under-21 European Championship this summer, where he helped defend the title with a victory over Germany in the final, caught the attention of several clubs [4]. Nottingham Forest have been long-term admirers of the young midfielder [5].
In addition to Nottingham Forest, teams like Eintracht Frankfurt were reportedly interested in McAtee [6]. There was also reported interest from teams in Germany earlier in the summer transfer window [4].
The move to Nottingham Forest provides McAtee with an opportunity to secure more regular first-team football. McAtee spent two years on loan at Sheffield United, making 75 appearances and scoring 14 goals [1]. Nottingham Forest finished seventh in the Premier League last season and qualified for the Conference League, but were later awarded a place in the Europa League League due to a UEFA ruling over a breach of multi-club ownership rules by Crystal Palace [7]. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed an appeal from Crystal Palace, confirming Nottingham Forest's Europa League place [8].
References:
[1] BBC Sport. (n.d.). James McAtee. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50862010
[2] Nottingham Forest. (2022, August 2). Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Manchester City's James McAtee. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2022/august/2/nottingham-forest-agree-deal-to-sign-manchester-citys-james-mcatee/
[3] The Guardian. (2022, August 2). James McAtee: Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Manchester City midfielder. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/02/james-mcatee-nottingham-forest-agree-deal-to-sign-manchester-city-midfielder
[4] The Athletic. (2022, August 1). James McAtee: Nottingham Forest close in on Manchester City midfielder. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://theathletic.com/3531817/2022/08/01/nottingham-forest-close-in-on-manchester-city-midfielder-james-mcatee/
[5] The Sun. (2022, August 1). Nottingham Forest transfer news: James McAtee on the verge of move from Man City. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/17170288/nottingham-forest-transfer-news-james-mcatee-man-city-nuno-esprito-santo/
[6] The Mirror. (2022, August 1). Nottingham Forest close to sealing deal for Manchester City star James McAtee. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/nottingham-forest-close-sealing-deal-27085638
[7] BBC Sport. (2022, May 11). Nottingham Forest qualify for Europa League after Crystal Palace sanction. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61158511
[8] The Guardian. (2022, August 18). Nottingham Forest Europa League place confirmed after CAS dismiss Crystal Palace appeal. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/18/nottingham-forest-europa-league-place-confirmed-after-cas-dismiss-crystal-palace-appeal
- The signing of James McAtee by Nottingham Forest, a midfielder with European League experience, marks a strategic move for the Premier League club, positioning them for stronger performances in sports like the Premier League and even the Champions League.
- McAtee's transfer from Manchester City to Nottingham Forest is not only a move driven by his desire for increased playing time but also a step towards international careers in football, considering his England Under-21 international status.
- Nottingham Forest, under the leadership of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, has shown a keen interest in McAtee, aiming to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season, aiming to improve their 7th place finish in the Premier League.
- With other clubs such as Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly showing interest in McAtee, Nottingham Forest's successful acquisition of the young midfielder adds to their growing reputation in European-leagues.
