West Ham United need reinforcement in the summer transfer window after letting four stalwarts leave for free following the expiry of their contracts.
Tottenham Hotspur have also completed the signing of Mohammed Kudus for £55 million, leaving the Hammers further short.
The Irons could use new additions across the park and are reportedly eyeing a move for Manchester City ace James McAtee.
According to Ben Jacobs, “West Ham and Nottingham Forest are among the clubs interested in signing James McAtee.
“McAtee also has interest from clubs in Germany. City value the 22-year-old in a similar bracket to Cole Palmer at the time he left the club to join Chelsea for £40 million.”
West Ham began showing interest in McAtee some time ago. But they are yet to make a concrete move.
Despite his limited minutes in a Man City shirt, he recorded impressive numbers, bagging seven goals in 27 appearances for the Cityzens. Pep Guardiola hailed him as a ‘special player’.
McAtee also enjoyed success with the England Under-21 at the European Championship, helping the Young Lions defend the title with a goal and two assists in six games.
He is a technically neat operator who connects the midfield to attack. He is the kind of midfielder West Ham are sorely lacking in the engine room.
However, West Ham remain reluctant to pull the trigger. This could allow other interested parties to pip the Hammers to his signature.
With Kudus gone and a sizeable £55 million fee incoming, West Ham should not hesitate to reinvest part of that windfall in securing McAtee (view).
At just 22, he offers long-term upside and Premier League experience, with the creative spark and energy that Graham Potter’s midfield currently lacks.
The price tag might be steep, but quality costs and McAtee fits the profile of a forward-thinking playmaker who can grow into a key figure at the London Stadium for years to come.
(Stats from Transfermarkt)