James McAtee looked to be the ideal candidate to replace the potentially outgoing Morgan Gibbs-White, but the Manchester City man has passed on a City Ground switch.
When it became clear that City were open to selling McAtee this summer, eyes turned to Forest as a likely destination, with the two sides already likely to negotiate for Gibbs-White.
Forest’s long-standing interest in McAtee made him the ideal replacement for Gibbs-White, but the latest report has suggested that McAtee prefers a move to the Bundesliga.
Should this be the case, here are three players who Forest could look at instead to plug the gap that McAtee looked most likely to.
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images
Three James McAtee alternatives Nottingham Forest should consider
Mateus Fernandes
Someone already linked with the club, Forest have shown interest in Mateus Fernandes after the Portuguese midfielder was a bright spark in an otherwise dismal Southampton side.
Three goals and six assists in all competitions made Fernandes stand out at St Mary’s, but Evangelos Marinakis has already been put off by the asking price for the recently-relegated star.
Southampton are demanding ‘ridiculous money’ for Fernandes, but if an agreement could be found, the 20-year-old could be a smart investment for Forest.
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Andreas Pereira
Another who could be impacted by the price tag, Forest are keen on Andreas Pereira from Fulham but only if a reasonable fee can be agreed.
It’s been suggested that Fulham want £29.5m for Pereira, who, at 29 years old, wouldn’t have the same sell-on value as either McAtee or Fernandes, but he does have a stronger pedigree on his side.
Forest wanted Pereira in January as well, though, meaning his longer-term admiration from Nuno Espírito Santo makes him an option that the Reds may return to.
Maghnes Akliouche
It would certainly be ambitious, but Marinakis could show serious intent by targeting Monaco’s creative machine, Maghnes Akliouche.
Forest made an approach for Akliouche prior to the end of the window and although he has predominantly starred as a right-winger for Monaco, he has the creative ability to thrive centrally.
Statistic Maghnes Akliouche 24/25
Goals 7
Assists 12
Progressive passes per 90 6.17
Progressive carries per 90 4.60
Akliouche excels in progressing the ball for Monaco, something Forest would need should Gibbs-White leave, with 19 goal contributions actually putting the Frenchman ahead of Forest’s talisman.
Forest fans were excited about the Akliouche rumours so if Marinakis was able to pull the deal off, it would go a long way to helping Reds fans get over the disappointment of losing out on McAtee.