West Ham United have reportedly opened discussions over a move for Nottingham Forest midfielder James McAtee.
TEAMtalk reports that the Hammers are ready to test Forest’s resolve with a package close to £30m.
That would be around the fee Forest paid Manchester City last summer. Sky Sports reported in August 2025 that Forest agreed a deal worth up to £30m for McAtee, with sell-on and buy-back clauses included.
The update moves the story on from simple interest. ReadWestHam reported earlier this week that McAtee had emerged as a preferred creative-midfield target as Nuno Espirito Santo and Nils Koppen reshape the squad after relegation.
McAtee is said to be open to a fresh challenge. West Ham believe he could become a central figure, rather than a fringe option behind Morgan Gibbs-White at Forest.
Nuno Targets Premier League Quality
McAtee’s appeal is clear. He is 23, technically sharp and already has Premier League experience.
He also has a direct Nuno link. The West Ham head coach signed him for Forest and now appears keen to bring him to the London Stadium.
For West Ham, this is the type of deal that would define the scale of their reset. They do not just need Championship bodies.
They need players who can handle promotion pressure and still look useful if the club return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Mateus Fernandes sale has given West Ham room to act. McAtee would be an ambitious use of that leverage.
There is still a significant Forest question. They paid heavily for McAtee only last year and may not want to cash out after one difficult season.
West Ham’s challenge is to make the package strong enough without overpaying for a player who still has something to prove.
If a deal progresses, McAtee would give Nuno a creative midfielder with resale value and top-flight pedigree. For a squad being rebuilt quickly, that is exactly the type of profile West Ham should be chasing.
