Leeds United is reportedly close to securing a deal for Nottingham Forest midfielder James McAtee, following a price cut that makes the transfer more feasible. The 23-year-old former Manchester City player has struggled for playing time at Forest, underlining the opportunity for Leeds to make their move this summer.
James McAtee’s Situation at Nottingham Forest
McAtee joined Nottingham Forest from Manchester City last summer in a deal valued at £30 million. Despite high expectations, he has made minimal impact this season, starting only one Premier League match. His last appearance was in a Europa League game against Porto on April 9, 2026, after which he has not featured.
Limited Playing Time
- Premier League Starts: 1
- Total Minutes Played: 174
- Goals/Assists: 0
- Chances Created per 90 minutes: 1.55
- Accurate Passes per 90 minutes: 34.7%
- Tackles per 90 minutes: 2.07
- Duels Won per 90 minutes: 5.69
Leeds United’s Transfer Strategy
With Nottingham Forest preparing to sign Marshall Munetsi, speculation arises that McAtee’s position could become even more precarious. The addition of another midfielder might push him further down the pecking order, prompting Leeds to act quickly.
Leeds, under manager Daniel Farke’s guidance, has shown keen interest in McAtee. Their long-term admiration for the player could work to their advantage, especially with Forest open to selling him at a cut price. Reports suggest that Forest is ready to accept lower offers to offload McAtee and mitigate financial losses from his transfer.
Potential Benefits for Both Clubs
A transfer could benefit both Leeds and McAtee. Leeds seeks to strengthen their squad while McAtee needs more playing time to rejuvenate his career. With Forest looking to streamline their midfield options, a move away might be mutually beneficial.
As the summer transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Leeds United and their efforts to finalize a deal for James McAtee. The evolving situation at Nottingham Forest, particularly with their acquisition of new talent, may determine the likelihood of this transfer happening.
