Exclusive: Dortmund and Leverkusen Ready to Hand James McAtee Bundesliga Lifeline Amid Forest Frustration

Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are ready to offer James McAtee an escape route out of Nottingham Forest if the former Manchester City midfielder is unable to secure regular first team football at Nottingham Forest, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Once among the hottest properties in English football after graduating from the eight-time Premier League winners’ renowned youth academy, McAtee has faded from view since completing a permanent switch to the City Ground during the summer transfer window.

McAtee was a notable absentee from the squad which faced Chelsea over the weekend after being omitted from the club’s plans altogether. 

That, combined with his failure to enjoy an upturn in fortunes under former boss Ange Postecoglou has put two of Germany’s biggest names on red alert after they failed to lure him to the Bundesliga earlier this term.

Although sources close to McAtee confirm he has no immediate plans to try and force a move away from the east Midlands, preferring instead to try and fight for his place, that stance could change if his opportunities do not increase ahead of the festive period.

ENGLAND AMBITIONS

McAtee, who is keen to force his way into England’s plans ahead of the upcoming World Cup, is aware that any more loss of momentum in his career could effectively wreck any last remaining chance of booking a seat on the plane to North America and Mexico. 

And he also knows, with Thomas Tuchel handed the responsibility of leading the Three Lions through the tournament, that impressing for either Dortmund or Leverkusen would capture the ex-Borussia and Bayern Munich boss’ attention.

Aged 23, McAtee first rose to prominence when he scored twice on his England under-18’s debut before helping the Young Lions win the UEFA U21 Championship. Sandwiched in between, he impressed during two loan spells with Sheffield United where he was named Young Player of the Year in 2023.

Forest beat off stiff competition for McAtee’s services two months ago, paying around £30m to acquire him from City. 

POWER VICTIM

However, he appears to have become a victim of the behind the scenes power struggle which cost Postecoglou’s predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo his job with the Portuguese’s replacement, previously of Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic, proving no more willing to select him.

With Forest reportedly considering another change at the helm and Sean Dyche mentioned as an alternative to Postecoglou, McAtee is aware he could drift even further away from the starting eleven under someone famed for his combative and defensively minded approach.

Although neither Dortmund nor Leverkusen have the financial wherewithal to provide Forest with a return on their investment, both are ready to sign him on loan before discussing a fee further down the line.