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Manchester City midfielder James McAtee is closing in on a move to Nottingham Forest
James McAtee has agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest, with the club negotiating on a fee with Manchester City. Talks are ongoing but there is confidence that a deal can be struck for the 22-year-old midfielder.
McAtee went back to the Etihad last season after two years on loan with Sheffield United, aiming to make it in the first team under Pep Guardiola. The manager would lament late in the campaign that he should have given him more opportunities, but then proceeded to leave him out of the squad for the FA Cup final and the final two Premier League games.
When it was agreed that McAtee could represent England at the Under-21 European Championship this summer rather than head to the Club World Cup with City, a move away was inevitable.
It has not been easy though, with City rejecting more than one offer of around £25m and holding out for closer to the £42.5m they got for Cole Palmer.
A number of German clubs have been interested but Forest appear to have won the race to sign McAtee, agreeing personal terms with the City midfielder. The academy graduate did not travel with the squad to Palermo at the weekend and is expected to finalise a move to the City Ground.
With Jack Grealish also closing on a move to Everton with a loan deal agreed with an £50m option to buy, City are beginning to move players on as the Premier League season approaches.
They could also see Savinho after Tottenham approached the Blues about the Brazilian winger. City do not want to sell and would not entertain anything below £50m but would have to consider a sale if the player wanted to push for a move.
Savinho started three of City's four matches in the Club World Cup and came on in the second half at Palermo in what looked like the XI that could start at Wolves at the weekend, but his future at the club is now in doubt.
Guardiola will use the week to try and get City ready for their trip to Molineux, although he has admitted they may not be at their best in the opening matches of the season. Rodri is not fully fit, Mateo Kovacic is injured and Phil Foden has a knock heading into the game.
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