Everton Discover Manchester City’s Demands for James McAtee Following Rejected Nottingham Forest Offer
Everton have been alerted to Manchester City’s valuation of promising midfielder James McAtee, as the Premier League champions recently turned down a £25 million bid from Nottingham Forest. The Toffees are one of several English clubs monitoring McAtee’s situation closely as the summer transfer window enters its final month.
Manager David Moyes is eager to see reinforcements arrive at Goodison Park before the club concludes its pre-season tour in the United States. Strengthening the squad—particularly in attack—has become a priority following a series of underwhelming performances last season, and the club is exploring multiple creative midfield targets to add flair and productivity to the team.
McAtee, who impressed on loan at Sheffield United last season, has caught the attention of many top-flight clubs with his composure, vision, and attacking instincts from midfield. Despite receiving concrete interest from several Bundesliga sides, the 21-year-old has made it clear that he prefers to continue his career in the Premier League, which has sparked a race among English clubs for his signature.
Everton have already held positive discussions with the player’s representatives earlier this summer. While no official bid has yet been submitted by the Merseyside club, their interest is understood to be genuine and ongoing. However, they now face stiff competition from domestic rivals.
Nottingham Forest have been the first to formalize their interest with a substantial £25 million offer for the England Under-21 international, but that proposal has been swiftly rejected by Manchester City. According to Sky Sports, City are open to the idea of selling McAtee during this transfer window but are holding out for a significantly higher fee than what Forest have currently tabled.
The reigning Premier League champions rate McAtee highly and are unwilling to part ways with him for anything less than their valuation. With his contract running until 2026, City are under no immediate pressure to sell and will only entertain offers that reflect McAtee’s long-term potential and development under Pep Guardiola.
Interestingly, Everton have also been tentatively linked with McAtee’s more established teammate Jack Grealish. While any move for the England international would be far more ambitious and financially complicated, the links show the scale of ambition being considered by Moyes and the club’s recruitment team as they aim to reshape the squad this summer.
McAtee, however, represents a far more attainable target and could provide immediate impact at Everton. With the ability to play as a number 10 or in wider attacking roles, his versatility makes him a valuable asset for any Premier League side looking to inject creativity and youth into their midfield.
For Everton, the opportunity to sign a player of McAtee’s calibre and potential could prove pivotal as they look to climb the table in the coming season. Moyes, who is keen to avoid another relegation scrap, wants to bring in technically gifted players who can break lines, create chances, and support the forward line—attributes McAtee has consistently demonstrated during his appearances in both the Championship and cup competitions for City.
As it stands, the ball is now in Everton’s court. With Forest having made the first move—albeit an unsuccessful one—the pressure is on the Toffees to act swiftly if they hope to secure a deal. It remains to be seen whether they will meet City’s valuation or attempt to negotiate a structured deal with performance-based incentives.
What is certain, however, is that James McAtee is one of the most sought-after young talents on the domestic market this summer, and his future could be decided in the coming weeks as Manchester City prepare to trim their squad ahead of the new season.