When James McAtee, a 22‑year‑old midfielder from Manchester City, signed for Nottingham Forest in a deal that could climb to £30 million, a handful of Bundesliga clubs felt the sting. The move was confirmed in late June 2024 by Sky Germany and German reporter Florian Plettenberg, ending weeks of speculation that Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt might snatch the England Under‑21 captain.
McAtee’s meteoric rise at Manchester City
McAtee cut his teeth in Pep Guardiola’s academy before breaking into the first team last season. In 34 appearances across all competitions he notched seven goals – all of them in the 2024‑25 campaign – and logged three Premier League starts. "We’ve watched his development closely, and his technical ability is world‑class for his age," Guardiola once said in a press conference back in February 2024. His performances earned him a starring role at the UEFA European Under‑21 Championship, where he captained England to a 1‑0 victory over Germany in July 2023.
Why the German suitors were keen
Borussia Dortmund had been tracking McAtee since the start of the summer window. Their sporting director, Michael Zorc, told German outlet Kicker that the English midfielder fit the "dynamic, high‑pressing profile" Dortmund employs. RB Leipzig, fresh off a run to the Champions League knockout stage, saw McAtee as a potential partner for Christopher Nkunku, while Eintracht Frankfurt believed he could add creativity to a midfield already anchored by Daichi Kamada.
Negotiations, however, hit a snag when Manchester City reportedly demanded a minimum £25 million fee plus a buy‑back clause. The German clubs were prepared to meet the price, but Forest’s offer – a long‑term contract with sell‑on and buy‑back provisions – proved more attractive to the player, who expressed a desire to play regular Premier League football.
Forest’s strategic push ahead of Europa League
Nottingham Forest entered the transfer market with a clear blueprint: build a squad capable of competing on both domestic and European fronts. So far they have spent £44 million on winger Dan Ndoye and striker Igor Jesus, and extended the contract of Morgan Gibbs‑White. The club also sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United for £55 million, freeing up capital.
"James brings the energy and vision we need to thrive in the Europa League," said Forest sporting director Stewart Fletcher. "His experience with a top‑four club and his leadership at the Under‑21 level will be invaluable."
Forest are also in advanced talks for Omari Hutchinson, Douglas Luiz and Arnaud Kalimuendo, and a £37.5 million deal for Hutchinson from Ipswich Town appears close to completion.
What Dortmund and Leipzig lose – and gain – from the fallout
With McAtee off the table, Borussia Dortmund are likely to revert their attention to Carney Chukwuemeka, the Chelsea midfielder whose loan ended after his Club World Cup stint. Dortmund’s scouting chief, Sascha Dornbusch, hinted that "Chukwuemeka still fits the profile we need for the next season".
RB Leipzig, on the other hand, might revive plans to bring Christopher Nkunku back, especially now that they have cash from the recent sale of Benjamin Sesko and anticipate the possible departure of Xavi Simons. "We have the resources and the ambition to re‑sign top talent," Leipzig sporting director Joachim Wuttke told reporters.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s window remains open; the club recently received £30 million from Hugo Ekitike’s transfer to Liverpool, but they have yet to name a direct replacement for McAtee.
Financial nuances of the Forest deal
- Initial fee reported at £25 million, with performance‑related add‑ons pushing the total to £30 million.
- Manchester City retained a 10 % sell‑on clause.
- A buy‑back option allows City to re‑sign McAtee for a pre‑agreed amount within three years.
- Forest will pay a portion of the fee in installments over two seasons.
Looking ahead – the next chapter for all parties
For McAtee, the Premier League offers a platform to showcase his talent week in, week out, and the prospect of European nights with Forest adds allure. "I’m excited to fight for a starting spot and help the club reach new heights," he said in a press conference in Nottingham.
Manchester City, meanwhile, can focus on developing their next batch of academy prospects while keeping an eye on the buy‑back trigger. Their midfield depth remains strong, with players like Mateo Kovacic and Julian Alvarez still in the squad.
Dortmund and Leipzig will now have to recalibrate their summer strategies, potentially turning to other emerging talents from the English Championship or the Bundesliga itself. The ripple effect could see a shuffle of transfer targets across Europe as clubs vie for the remaining talent pool.
Forest’s venture into the Europa League will test the new signings’ chemistry quickly. Their opening group match against Olympique Marseille is scheduled for 20 September 2024, a date that could provide an early litmus test for McAtee’s impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does McAtee’s move affect Nottingham Forest’s Europa League chances?
McAtee adds Premier League experience and a winning mentality to a Forest side that has struggled for creativity in recent seasons. His ability to operate between the lines should help the club break down defensive opponents in the group stage, potentially turning tight matches in their favor.
Why did the German clubs abandon their pursuit?
Manchester City’s £25 million base fee, coupled with a buy‑back clause, made the deal financially riskier for Dortmund, Leipzig and Frankfurt. Forest’s willingness to meet the fee and offer a long‑term contract ultimately tipped the scales in their favour.
What are Dortmund’s next targets after McAtee’s exit?
Dortmund are expected to refocus on Carney Chukwuemeka, whose loan at Chelsea ended this summer. Sources say the club is also monitoring Brighton’s midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as a potential backup.
Will RB Leipzig still try to re‑sign Christopher Nkunku?
Yes. Leipzig have earmarked funds from Benjamin Sesko’s sale and anticipate a possible exit for Xavi Simons. Their sporting director confirmed that Nkunku remains high on their priority list for the upcoming season.
How will Manchester City benefit from the sell‑on and buy‑back clauses?
The 10 % sell‑on clause guarantees City a future cut if Forest later sells McAtee at a profit. The buy‑back clause gives Guardiola the option to re‑acquire the player at a pre‑determined price, preserving a strategic asset should his value rise.
Nitin Jadvav
October 5, 2025 AT 05:08So Forest finally got themselves a ‘future star’ while the Germans are left Googling their next move.
Adrish Sinha
October 5, 2025 AT 21:48James will get the minutes he needs, and that’s what matters.
Consistent play will only make him better.
Arun kumar Chinnadhurai
October 6, 2025 AT 14:28McAtee’s arrival at Forest is a textbook case of a young player choosing regular top‑flight action over the allure of a big‑club bench.
At 22 he already has Premier League experience and a taste of European competition, which is rare for most Championship graduates.
His technical ability, honed under Guardiola, means he can operate in tight spaces and unlock defenses with a single pass.
Forest’s tactical setup under the current manager emphasizes high pressing and quick transitions, a perfect match for McAtee’s energy.
He also brings a winning mentality, having captained England’s Under‑21 side to a European title.
That leadership quality can help lift the dressing‑room atmosphere, especially as the squad prepares for Europa League duties.
Financially the deal is smart; the initial £25 million fee is offset by performance add‑ons and a sell‑on clause that protects City.
From a scouting perspective, it shows Forest are willing to invest in players who can make an immediate impact.
The German clubs missed out, but they can still pivot to other prospects, perhaps looking at the English Championship for hidden gems.
Meanwhile, Dortmund’s focus on Carney Chukwuemeka could bring another versatile midfielder into their ranks.
Leipzig’s intention to re‑sign Nkunku remains realistic given their recent cash inflow from Sesko’s sale.
For McAtee, the Premier League’s weekly grind will test his consistency more than any Bundesliga season could.
If he adapts quickly, his market value will soar, and City’s buy‑back clause might become a bargain in a few years.
Fans of Forest should anticipate a more creative midfield, reducing reliance on long balls and set pieces.
The upcoming group stage against Marseille will be an early litmus test of how well he gels with his new teammates.
Overall, this move could be a win‑win for both the player and a club looking to step back onto the European map.
Aayush Sarda
October 7, 2025 AT 07:08Dortmund will have to settle for another name on the list, and that’s a painful reality when you’ve already lost a player of McAtee’s caliber.
Their high‑press system still needs a creative spark, but the market isn’t waiting.
Mohit Gupta
October 7, 2025 AT 23:48Wow-Forest just swooped in and nabbed the kid!!! No wonder the Germans are left staring at their shoes!!!
Varun Dang
October 8, 2025 AT 16:28It’s great to see a young English talent get a chance to shine in the Premier League.
Regular minutes will do wonders for his confidence and development.
Forest’s ambition in Europe means he’ll be tested on big stages soon.
All the best to him and the club as they aim higher.
Stavya Sharma
October 9, 2025 AT 09:08The club’s recent spending shows they’re serious about competing.
They’ll need to blend newcomers quickly to avoid early slips.
chaitra makam
October 10, 2025 AT 01:48That deal feels like a win‑win for everyone involved.
Forest adds quality, City gets a safety net, and McAtee gets game time.
Can’t wait to see him in action.
Amit Agnihotri
October 10, 2025 AT 18:28Free transfer for the Germans, I guess.
rama cs
October 11, 2025 AT 11:08From a systems‑theoretic perspective, McAtee functions as a node that could re‑calibrate Forest’s midfield entropy.
His positional versatility introduces a non‑linear shift in tactical permutations.
Moreover, the financial structuring aligns with modern asset‑based valuation models.
In essence, it’s a multidimensional optimization problem where the solution benefits multiple stakeholders.
Monika Kühn
October 12, 2025 AT 03:48Because we all needed another obscure football essay, right?
Surya Prakash
October 12, 2025 AT 20:28Hardly a surprise, really.
Sandeep KNS
October 13, 2025 AT 13:08Ah, the ever‑so‑refined art of English football transactions, where a £30 million clause is merely a decorative flourish.
One might argue that such financial gymnastics are intended to dazzle the uninformed investor.
Nonetheless, the underlying strategic intent remains transparent: secure a talent before the competition even realizes they’re in the market.
Such moves epitomize the modern game’s blend of commerce and sport.
Mayur Sutar
October 14, 2025 AT 05:48True, the financial side is clever, but let’s not forget the cultural impact of bringing a home‑grown player back to the league.
Fans love seeing young English talent thrive domestically.
It adds a narrative that can galvanize the whole community.
Nancy Ortiz
October 14, 2025 AT 22:28Another “big signing” for Forest, because that’s never a pressure cooker.
Let’s hope it lives up to the hype.