Nottingham Forest supporters have quickly fallen head over heels for midfielder James McAtee since his arrival from Manchester City. While his early appearances during the 2025–26 campaign were largely sporadic and restricted to cameos off the bench, the script has completely flipped this term under the guidance of Oliver Glasner.
McAtee has started all four Premier League matches so far, looking like a completely transformed player operating in the heart of the central midfield. His stellar performances are already making the £30 million fee Forest invested in him look like a bargain, while serving yet another testament to Manchester City’s world-renowned academy production line.
The Looming Threat of a Manchester City Buy-Back Clause
Unsurprisingly, given City’s shrewd operational model in the transfer market, intricate buy-back and sell-on clauses were embedded into McAtee’s contract when he made the permanent switch to the City Ground.
Given his explosive start to the new season, industry insiders suggest it would come as little surprise if Enzo Maresca and the City hierarchy opt to trigger that buy-back option next summer. While the exact financial figures have been closely guarded by both clubs, the buy-back valuation is widely understood to be in the region of £65 million.
Should McAtee maintain his current trajectory and prove himself fully worthy of that price tag over the course of the campaign, Nottingham Forest will be left entirely helpless. If the Citizens decide to exercise the clause, Forest’s hands are tied, though they could at least command a substantial profit on a player whose stock is rapidly rising.
Building a Star-Studded Squad Under Glasner
McAtee is not the only high-profile addition turning heads at the City Ground. Fellow new arrival Liam Delap has also made waves, adding to a wave of heavy investment backed by Evangelos Marinakis during the summer window alongside deals for players like Ousmane Diomande.
While Glasner’s revamped squad is still working to fully gel across all competitions, the early indicators point toward an exciting campaign ahead. However, that very success could pose a double-edged sword for the club’s recruitment team.
If Nottingham Forest manages to string together a successful season and challenge higher up the table, elite suitors will inevitably come sniffing around for other prized assets. Key stars such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus are bound to attract attention, while Arnaud Kalimuendo already enjoys a growing list of admirers. Most surprisingly to many observers, defensive rock Murillo remains at the City Ground for the 2026–27 season, though holding onto him long-term may prove increasingly difficult if Forest continues its upward trajectory.
For now, Nottingham Forest fans will simply hope to enjoy McAtee’s brilliant creative spark for as long as possible while Glasner steers the team toward a memorable campaign.
