Chelsea Football Club is reportedly keen on signing Nottingham Forest midfielder James McAtee as the January transfer window approaches. Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, has expressed admiration for the 23-year-old, having previously worked with him during their time at Manchester City. McAtee joined Nottingham Forest after helping England secure victory in the European Under-21 Championship this past summer, but his limited playing time at The City Ground has sparked interest from multiple clubs.
Aside from Chelsea, teams such as Leeds United, AFC Bournemouth, Fulham, Sunderland, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, and PSV Eindhoven are also monitoring McAtee’s situation. Chelsea is not only considering McAtee but also has its sights set on Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace as they look to bolster their midfield options.
Real Madrid and Other Clubs Eye Kees Smit
In other transfer news, Real Madrid and several Premier League clubs are keeping a close watch on AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 19-year-old is attracting significant interest from top clubs across Europe. However, AZ Alkmaar is firm on not letting him leave for less than his reported valuation of €60 million, having previously declined offers that would eventually reach that figure.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is reportedly considering Rúben Neves of Al Hilal as a potential late backup plan for their midfield needs in January. Although United has acknowledged the player’s situation, there is no definitive clarity on whether a transfer will materialize. With key targets likely unavailable during the winter window, United may need to explore alternative options.
Additional Transfer Developments
Meanwhile, Charlotte FC is set to finalize the signing of Luca de la Torre from Celta Vigo. The midfielder, who has spent the past season on loan at San Diego FC, will join the MLS club in a permanent deal. Charlotte FC will compensate San Diego with $50,000 in General Allocation Money for the player’s rights. De la Torre, who has earned 32 caps for the United States Men’s National Team, remains hopeful of being selected for the upcoming FIFA World Cup despite missing the last two squad announcements.
In Italy, AS Roma is pursuing a deal for Giacomo Raspadori, although Atlético Madrid is keen to retain the forward. Raspadori is reportedly interested in a more significant role at the Stadio Olimpico. Atlético is open to offers but will only consider bids that meet or exceed the €22 million spent on him last summer.
As the transfer window unfolds, clubs across Europe continue to evaluate their options, with several high-profile players experiencing increased interest. The next few weeks will be critical as teams look to strengthen their squads ahead of the second half of the season.
