Nottingham Forest were reportedly interested in signing James McAtee this summer, but now a reliable source has given an update on the young player's future and it's not good news for Steve Cooper.
What's the latest?
Italian journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that James McAtee will join Sheffield United on loan this season.
Romano tweeted:
"Manchester City have completed full agreement with Sheffield United for James McAtee season-long loan."
"Sheffield set to announce McAtee as new signing this week."
He could've been Garner 2.0
Despite making 12 signings already this summer, it is reported that Forest still want to add another midfielder ahead of their long-awaited return to the Premier League this week, and McAtee could have been the perfect addition in the centre of the pitch for the Reds.
Cooper has already acquired the services of Orel Mangala and Lewis O'Brien to bolster his central options over the campaign in the top-flight, but adding McAtee could have been a great piece of business, just like James Garner was last season.
Garner has now returned to Manchester United following an impressive season-long loan with Forest, and the young midfielder truly thrived whilst working under Cooper contributing effectively in the club's challenge for Premier League promotion, something that clearly inspired the interest in McAtee this summer.
Last term, the United prodigy scored four goals and racked up ten assists for the Garibaldi, numbers that painted him as an effective attacking presence.
By comparison, the Manchester City youngster has been attracting attention for similar reasons, after it was reported the club were open to letting him go on loan over this season to continue his promising development.
Pep Guardiola gave the 19-year-old his Premier League debut last season and followed it up with a debut appearance in the Champions League too following his consistent and reliable attacking output rising through the ranks of the Man City youth system.
Last season, McAtee, who was dubbed "special" by scout Jacek Kulig, was the top goal-scorer in the Premier League 2 with 18 goals over 23 appearances, and has scored 44 goals in total over his career with the club. Now, he is being given the opportunity to get even better by going out on loan to continue his development with first-team football.
Cooper clearly enjoys developing young players and getting the best out of them, something he has proven with both Brennan Johnson and Garner since joining Forest, but he will now need to look elsewhere for his next young prodigy following Romano's confirmation of McAtee's proposed move to the Blades.