What West Ham believe Nottingham Forest's stance is on James McAtee exit | OneFootball

West Ham have been linked with a move for James McAtee

West Ham are setting their sights on a number of possible transfer targets as they prepare for the new Championship season.

The Hammers finished 18th in the Premier League, suffering relegation to the second tier after 14 years of being in the top flight.

Nuno Espírito Santo will be targeting a top two finish next season, as he looks to bring the club back to the first division at the first attempt.

The sale of Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham Hotspur was the club’s first piece of major transfer business this summer, but more activity is expected between now and the 1 September deadline.

Further outgoings are likely, with speculation surrounding the likes of Crysencio Summerville and El Hadji Malick Diouf.

However, there are sure to be plenty of incomings, with targets now emerging following Fernandes’ departure.

How West Ham think Nottingham Forest feel about James McAtee sale

Action images

One player West Ham have been linked with signing is James McAtee, who made the move to Nottingham Forest last summer in a £30 million deal with Manchester City.

And it has been reported by Talksport that the Hammers are optimistic that the Reds will be open to a sale for the midfielder.

McAtee featured 14 times in the Premier League last season, starting on just two occasions, as the team finished 16th in the table.

The midfielder struggled for consistent game time, and could now reunite with Espírito Santo, who was in charge at the City Ground last summer when he was signed from Man City.

It’s been claimed that talks are underway between the two clubs, and it could take up to £30 million to complete a deal with the Premier League side.

How West Ham fans feel about James McAtee signing

Many West Ham fans have expressed their displeasure at the possibility of spending as much as £30 million to sign McAtee.

Given his lack of game time with Forest last year, supporters believe that his valuation should have dropped compared to 12 months ago.

It has been suggested that West Ham should look at a £20 million deal, or else walk away from the move.

However, some supporters have urged the club to get this deal done, and attempt to sign Harvey Elliot on loan in order to reunite the pair from their time together as England U21 internationals.

McAtee has a contract with Nottingham Forest until June 2030.

Action Images

James McAtee sale could work for all parties

The £30 million fee paid to sign McAtee last summer hasn’t quite worked out for Forest or the player just yet, so a sale to West Ham might be the best move for everyone.

While spending that much to sign him may seem wasteful given his lack of game time last year, the Premier League side are in a strong negotiating position as they have no reason to sell.

McAtee clearly possesses a lot of potential, and perhaps a year in the Championship under Espirito Santo might help his development into a Premier League regular.

Spending £30 million to secure his services would also be a real statement to the rest of the division that West Ham have their eyes set squarely on automatic promotion next season.