Chelsea and Leeds United have both made checks on Nottingham Forest midfielder James McAtee as the scramble for his signature begins to heat up. The 23 year old Englishman is attracting serious Premier League interest after his impressive start to life at the City Ground.
McAtee, who joined Forest from Manchester City, has caught the eye with a series of lively performances in the engine room. Both Chelsea and Leeds was among the clubs to have watched him closely in recent weeks, with a view to a potential move. Forest will be desperate to keep hold of their man, but the lure of a bigger stage could turn the player’s head.
It’s all kicking off elsewhere, too. Arsenal are weighing up a move for AC Milan’s teenage Italian left back Davide Bartesaghi, 19, as Mikel Arteta looks to the future. Meanwhile, Manchester United have seemingly got their man in Roma’s French midfielder Manu Kone, 24, with a deal agreed for him to arrive at Old Trafford next summer. A Red Devils source insists the agreement is “done and dusted.”
Spurs are ready to put defender Micky van de Ven on a par with club captain Cristian Romero in terms of his contract, a clear sign of how highly they rate the Dutch speedster. Over on the south coast, Brighton have been handed a boost with Lewis Dunk, 34, triggering a one year extension. The club captain is set for at least another season at the Amex, which is a massive result for the Seagulls.
The gossip doesn’t stop there. Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Aston Villa are all in the hunt for Bologna’s promising Argentine forward Santiago Castro, 21. In a surprising twist, League One Oxford United are reportedly considering a sensational move to make Chelsea legend John Terry their new manager, which would be his first step into the dugout.
Looking ahead, the January window could be busy. Inter Milan are plotting a double swoop for Tottenham’s Italian ‘keeper Guglielmo Vicario and Romanian defender Radu Dragusin. Barcelona fancy a move for Man City’s Nathan Ake, but they face a battle with several Premier League sides. And Middlesbrough are digging their heels in, determined to fend off interest in homegrown star Hayden Hackney.
With the season approaching a critical phase, these transfer murmurs are set to become a roar. Clubs are laying the groundwork now for what promises to be a hectic winter of business, as managers look to twist and shout their way up the table.
