[Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/pete-o-rourke-transfer-correspondent)
Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.
The Citizens included a buy-back clause in the August 2025 deal, but the exact value of that figure remains unknown.
Despite claims to the contrary, City are not yet keen on exercising their option to re-sign the 24-year-old, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast.
McAtee has already easily eclipsed his Premier League exploits at Forest from his debut campaign in this term, with eight top-flight starts so far compared to just two throughout the whole of 2025-26.
City made some other high-profile midfield additions in the summer and are not yet believed to be considering a return for the academy graduate.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "I would be very surprised if it was on the cards. Obviously McAtee's having a good season, I don't think his talent has ever been in doubt, it's just that he didn't get many opportunities last season at Forest.
"He is becoming a key man under Oliver Glasner's, especially since Elliot Anderson's departure. He's also under a long-term contract, so yeah, I don't think there's anything much in that one that McAtee could be moving back to City."
Glasner is under pressure but is set to be backed with funds ahead of the January window, with his side having scored the joint-fewest goals in the league so far (6).
Those struggles in the final third have led the club to already begin working on signing a notable centre-forward in the next window, according to Football Insider's sources.