[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 24-year-old struggled for minutes in his first campaign at the City Ground but Elliot Anderson's exit has allowed him to become a regular starter in the middle the park.
City inserted a buy-back option into the £30million deal that took him to Forest in 2025, and his strong form has prompted rumours of the clause potentially being activated soon.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, McAtee has little interest in returning to the Etihad as he begins to realise his lofty potential under Glasner.
He would simply become a rotation option at City once again if he was to make the move back, after Enzo Maresca signed both Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi to bolster his midfield ranks in the summer.
He could put himself into the frame for a first senior England call-up this season as he impresses at Forest, with regular minutes clearly exactly what he needs to further his career right now.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "I think the key for McAtee right now is that he's playing regularly and performing well. I'm not sure he'd be overly keen to go back to Manchester City, where he might find himself being a squad player.
"He came through the ranks at City, and I'm sure the club still holds a special place in his heart, but he wants to continue building on what he's done so far this season at Forest. And look, Forest aren't planning to sell him either. He's a key man for Glasner."
City could trigger McAtee buy-back to make a quick profit
McAtee is likely to start attracting attention from wealthier clubs if he continues in a similar vein of form at Forest this season.
Former City financial advisor, Stefan Borson, has exclusively told Football Insider that they could exercise their clause to re-sign McAtee in the coming transfer windows to then sell him on for a bigger fee.
McAtee does not have a future at the Etihad, but City's potential upcoming financial issues could see them make a smart move for some quick profit on the 24-year-old.