As the 2025 summer transfer window heats up, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have emerged as two of the leading Premier League clubs vying for the signature of Manchester City’s talented attacking midfielder, James McAtee. The 22-year-old England Under-21 captain has caught the attention of several clubs across Europe, with his potential exit from the Etihad Stadium generating significant buzz. With a reported transfer fee of £20-25 million, McAtee’s future promises to be a focal point of this transfer season.
🔴🌳 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗙𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗥: Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are amongst the Premier League clubs considering Manchester City's James McAtee this summer. #NFFC
— Forest Transfer Hub (@Nffc_Hub) July 9, 2025
[@SkySportsLyall / @Amarjournalist_] pic.twitter.com/HOTIqIfnXH
A Rising Star Seeking Regular Football
James McAtee, a product of Manchester City’s esteemed academy, has long been regarded as one of England’s brightest young talents. The Salford-born midfielder enjoyed a standout summer, captaining England’s Under-21 side to European Championship glory in Slovakia, where he contributed a goal and two assists in six appearances. His performances, including a man-of-the-match display in the final against Germany, have only heightened interest in his services.
Despite his undeniable talent, McAtee’s path to regular first-team football at Manchester City has been blocked by intense competition. The recent arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, combined with established stars like Phil Foden and Claudio Echeverri, have pushed McAtee further down the pecking order. Last season, he made 27 appearances for City, scoring an impressive seven goals, but started only nine matches under Pep Guardiola. With his contract set to expire in the summer of 2026, McAtee is reportedly keen to secure regular playing time elsewhere to further his development.
Nottingham Forest’s European Ambitions
Nottingham Forest, fresh off a successful 2024-25 campaign that secured their return to European football for the first time in 30 years, are eager to bolster their squad with quality additions. The Reds see McAtee as a potential key piece in their attacking setup, particularly as they prepare for the demands of European competition. Sky Sports reports that Forest’s interest is strengthened by McAtee’s close relationship with their midfielder Elliot Anderson, with whom he shared the pitch during England’s Under-21 triumph
However, Forest’s pursuit of McAtee is complicated by their current transfer activity. The club is reportedly reluctant to lose both Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White in the same window due to financial constraints, with the latter being heavily linked to Manchester City. A potential swap deal involving Gibbs-White and McAtee was mooted earlier this summer, but City’s recent midfield acquisitions make such a move less likely. Additionally, McAtee’s preferred role as a number 10 could overlap with Gibbs-White’s position, raising questions about how he would fit into Forest’s system
Crystal Palace’s Post-FA Cup Push
Crystal Palace, coming off a historic 2024-25 season in which they won their first major trophy by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, are equally keen to add McAtee to their ranks. Manager Oliver Glasner, known for his proactive and attacking style of play, sees the 22-year-old as a perfect fit for Palace’s ambitions to build on their recent success. McAtee’s hunger for regular football aligns with Palace’s track record of offering young players opportunities to shine, as evidenced by their development of talents like Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton
Sky Sports suggests that Palace’s interest in McAtee is driven by their need for squad depth, particularly in attacking areas. The club is reportedly prepared to compete with Forest and other suitors, with Manchester City potentially holding out for a fee closer to £40 million, drawing comparisons to the £40 million sale of Cole Palmer to Chelsea in 2023. McAtee’s 27 senior appearances for City—more than Palmer had before his departure—strengthen the argument that he is ready for a full-time Premier League role.
Competition from Across Europe
While Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are at the forefront of the Premier League interest, McAtee’s suitors extend beyond England. Bundesliga clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Stuttgart have all been linked with the midfielder, with Germany being touted as a likely destination due to its reputation as a nurturing ground for young English talent. Serie A side Atalanta is also reportedly well-informed on McAtee’s situation, adding an international dimension to the transfer race.
Everton, Newcastle United, and Leeds United are among other Premier League clubs monitoring the situation. The inclusion of a buy-back clause in any potential deal has been mentioned as a condition Manchester City might insist upon, reflecting their belief in McAtee’s long-term potential.
🚨🔵 James McAtee can leave Manchester City this summer for fee around £20/25m.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2025
Bundesliga, Premier League and Serie A clubs are showing interest in Euro U21 winner with England as captain.
Atalanta are among clubs well informed on his situation. pic.twitter.com/T6PfON6OIy
A Potential Cole Palmer Repeat?
McAtee’s situation draws parallels to Cole Palmer’s departure from Manchester City to Chelsea in 2023, a move that saw the young Englishman flourish into a star. With City reportedly setting an asking price of £20-25 million—though some sources suggest they could demand closer to £40 million—there is a risk that letting McAtee go could haunt the Citizens if he fulfills his potential elsewhere. Pep Guardiola himself has praised McAtee, calling him “incredible” after a hat-trick in an 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City in January 2025.
For McAtee, the priority is clear: regular first-team football to build on his impressive performances at club and international levels. Whether he ends up at Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, or one of his other suitors, the 22-year-old’s next move will be pivotal in shaping his career.
The race for James McAtee’s signature is heating up, with Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace leading the Premier League charge. Both clubs offer the promise of regular football and exciting projects, with Forest aiming to make waves in Europe and Palace building on their FA Cup triumph. However, with interest from Bundesliga giants and other European clubs, the competition is fierce. As Manchester City prepare to sanction a potential £20-25 million move, all eyes will be on where McAtee lands and whether he can emulate the success of other young English stars who have taken the leap to secure their place in the spotlight.
