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McAtee draws Chelsea and Leeds United interest as Forest future comes under review

James McAtee’s short and unsettled spell at Nottingham Forest has prompted renewed scrutiny across the Premier League, with Chelsea and Leeds United among several clubs monitoring his situation ahead of the upcoming transfer windows. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder arrived at Forest in the summer with significant expectations, but limited minutes and managerial upheaval have combined to stall his momentum.

Forest invested heavily to secure McAtee from Manchester City, viewing him as a creative hub capable of operating between the lines or drifting into advanced midfield roles. Yet, five months into the season, his involvement has been sporadic. Ten appearances, several from the bench, and periods spent outside matchday squads have raised legitimate questions about his immediate role in Forest’s plans.

That lack of continuity has not gone unnoticed elsewhere. Clubs across England and Europe have quietly checked on his availability, weighing whether a permanent move or temporary solution could reignite a career that had previously been trending sharply upwards.

McAtee situation at Nottingham Forest

Forest remain publicly supportive of McAtee and continue to insist he has a long-term future at the club. Internally, however, the reality is more complex. Three managerial changes in quick succession have disrupted tactical clarity, while competition for attacking midfield roles has limited his opportunities to establish rhythm.

McAtee’s technical quality is not in doubt. Comfortable receiving under pressure, adept at linking play in tight areas, and capable of arriving late into the box, he fits the profile of a modern Premier League number ten. What he has lacked is sustained trust and a clearly defined role within a constantly shifting structure.

His recent omission as an unused substitute against Manchester City, his former club, only sharpened the sense that his development has plateaued since the move. For a player captaining England’s Under-21s not long ago, that trajectory is a concern both for Forest and for McAtee himself.

Chelsea monitoring midfield opportunities

Chelsea’s interest has surprised some observers, according to the Daily Mail, but it aligns with their broader approach of continually assessing market opportunities for technically gifted, age-profiled players. Those close to the situation suggest McAtee is admired within coaching circles at Stamford Bridge, particularly for his intelligence in possession and his ability to operate in multiple attacking midfield positions.

While Chelsea are well stocked numerically in midfield, there is an ongoing evaluation of balance, profile, and long-term planning. McAtee is viewed less as an immediate solution and more as a player whose skill set could be developed further within a structured environment that prioritises ball progression and positional rotation.

At this stage, Chelsea’s interest is described as exploratory rather than advanced. No formal approach has been made, but regular checks on his availability underline a willingness to act should the conditions become favourable.

Leeds United long-standing admiration

Leeds United’s interest in McAtee is more established. The club have tracked him for several seasons and see him as a natural fit for a side seeking greater creativity in central areas. Recruitment staff have been keen to add a player capable of unlocking deep defences, particularly one comfortable playing as a high-volume chance creator.

Leeds explored options in that role during the previous window and remain active in the market. McAtee’s situation at Forest has reopened a conversation internally, especially with January and summer planning already well underway. A move to Leeds could offer regular football, tactical clarity, and a platform to reassert himself as one of the most promising English midfielders of his generation.

Whether such interest materialises into a concrete proposal will depend on Forest’s stance and McAtee’s own priorities, but Leeds are expected to remain attentive as the situation develops.

Transfer outlook and next steps

Beyond Chelsea and Leeds United, there is also interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, the Championship, and abroad. Bundesliga clubs have maintained a watching brief, while loan options have been discussed informally among clubs seeking short-term creativity.

Forest face a delicate decision. Allowing McAtee to leave, even temporarily, would represent an admission that the initial integration has not gone to plan. Keeping him without guaranteeing minutes risks further stagnation. Much may hinge on managerial stability and whether a clearer pathway emerges in the second half of the season.

For McAtee, the priority is straightforward: regular football in a system that values his strengths. With Chelsea and Leeds United both attentive, and wider interest building, the coming months could prove pivotal in determining whether his Forest chapter is reset or brought to an early conclusion.