Tottenham's move for Morgan Gibbs-White is currently on hold after Nottingham Forest accused them of making an “illegal approach”, but they have now received a boost
Nottingham Forest looks at a movement for James McATee from Manchester City, with the 22-year-old a potential replacement for Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest wants to strengthen their attack this summer, with the side of Nuno Espirito Santo who plays in Europe for the first time in 29 years.
Forest finished seventh in the Premier League last season and qualified for the Europa League after FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were relegated to the Conference League due to the UEFA rules for multi-club ownership.
So far they have only made two signing sessions from the first team this summer and have brought in striker Igor Jesus and defender Jair Cunha from Botafogo, while winger Anthony Elanga has joined Newcastle for £ 55 million.
And Gibbs-White can also be on the move, with Tottenham wants to bring the England International to North London. Spurs made an £ 60 million bid for the midfielder that corresponded to his release clause, but Forest has accused them of an “illegal approach” and the deal is currently on hold.
Forest, however, seems to be a replacement for Gibbs-White, where De Telegraaf reports that they are interested in McATEE. The report states that the city appreciates the playmaker at around £ 35 million.
It is claimed that City used the £ 42.5 million sale of Cole Palmer to Chelsea in 2023 as their benchmark for McATee with forest -oriented competition from West Ham, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.
McATEE made 27 performances for City last season, but only nine of them were starts and manager Pep Guardiola admitted that he might have to leave looking for more regular First -Team promotion.
Guardiola said back in April: “I didn't allow him to play for minutes, so I can't ask anything from the players who don't play many minutes. They can do it better? No. Macca has this quality, the opportunity to create.
“He is there. The game worked better against Palace, you create opportunities. Macca close to the box is quite similar to Phil. They are there, a feeling. It is difficult to train, to make that movement because the ball comes. If he plays for minutes, he will score.
“Before the age I would like him to stay. But I understand that the players want more minutes. I would like him to stay, he is a player for the academy, he knows the patterns. He is a nice person and is really well trained. He can play different positions, but I don't know what the team will be and we will see.”