Nottingham Forest are making waves in the transfer market as they aim to bolster their squad for a historic 2025-26 season, which includes their first European campaign in three decades. Fresh off securing a £30 million deal for Manchester City’s promising midfielder James McAtee, the Tricky Trees have now set their sights on another City starlet, versatile defender Rico Lewis. With manager Pep Guardiola expressing openness to letting the 20-year-old England international leave if the right offer arrives, Forest’s ambitious “surprise swoop” signals their intent to compete at the highest level. As the Premier League season kicks off against Brentford on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Forest’s transfer activity is fueling excitement among fans eager for a transformative campaign.
The McAtee deal, finalized on August 15, 2025, marks a significant coup for Forest, who outmaneuvered interest from clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen to secure the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. The agreement, which includes a sell-on clause and a buy-back option for City, reflects Forest’s strategic approach to investing in young talent with resale potential. McAtee, who scored seven goals in 27 appearances for City last season but started only three Premier League matches, was eager for regular first-team football. Guardiola acknowledged the move’s fairness, saying, “I would love to have Macca with me but we have too many players and he wanted more minutes. I understand completely.” The transfer, valued at an initial £22 million with add-ons potentially reaching £30 million, aligns with Forest’s broader strategy under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, who is reshaping the squad after selling Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for £55 million.
Hot on the heels of this deal, Forest have launched negotiations for Rico Lewis, a dynamic full-back capable of playing across the defensive line and in midfield. Lewis, who featured in 44 matches for City last season, is highly regarded by Guardiola, who once called him “absolutely fantastic.” However, the emergence of Matheus Nunes as a makeshift full-back and the return of injured players like Kyle Walker have reduced Lewis’s chances of regular starts. With City’s squad bloated at 31 players, Guardiola admitted, “We have a lot of players, there will be two out of the squad tomorrow and it’ll be four or five when we get our injured players back. It’s not the ideal situation.” Forest see an opportunity to capitalize, with talks underway for a transfer fee around £30 million, separate from the McAtee negotiations. “When you’re playing for Premier Leagues and trebles it’s not easy to do it,” Guardiola said of Lewis’s limited minutes, adding, “That’s not to say they can’t, it’s the same with McAtee.”
Forest’s transfer flurry reflects their ambition to make a mark in the Europa League and climb the Premier League table after finishing 10th last season. Alongside McAtee, they’ve signed winger Dan Ndoye, striker Igor Jesus, and goalkeeper Angus Gunn, while extending Morgan Gibbs-White’s contract. They’re also in talks for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, AC Milan’s Yunus Musah, Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson, and Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, showcasing their aggressive recruitment strategy. The potential addition of Lewis would address a key need at right-back, especially after their Court of Arbitration for Sport victory secured their Europa League spot over Crystal Palace. His versatility and 94 first-team appearances for City make him an ideal fit for Nuno’s high-pressing, dynamic system.
The pursuit of Lewis, however, comes with challenges. City are wary of their homegrown quota, having already lost McAtee, Jack Grealish (on loan to Everton), and Kyle Walker (to AC Milan). Lewis’s departure would leave them with just five homegrown players, three short of the Premier League’s 25-man squad requirement. Despite this, Guardiola’s openness to a sale—provided the offer meets City’s valuation—has given Forest hope. “Tottenham in this case or any other club who wants a player should call the club,” Guardiola said, referencing interest in winger Savinho, who is also linked with Spurs. For Lewis, a move to Forest offers the promise of regular minutes, crucial for his development as he eyes a senior England call-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
As Forest prepare for their season opener, the buzz around their transfer activity is palpable. The McAtee signing has already energized the City Ground faithful, and landing Lewis would be a statement of intent. With City facing Wolves on Saturday, August 16, and Forest hosting Brentford a day later, both clubs are navigating squad overhauls amidst the looming shadow of City’s unresolved Financial Fair Play charges. For now, Forest’s bold moves are stealing the spotlight, and if they secure Lewis, they could have a defensive gem ready to shine in the Premier League and beyond.
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