Nottingham Forest have agreed two exciting late-summer deals, securing the signatures of highly rated England Under-21 Euro champions Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee.
BBC Sport confirmed on Friday (August 15) that Forest have agreed deals for Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee, with the transfers worth a combined £67.5 million.
Forest will pay £37.5 million to Ipswich Town for Hutchinson and close to £30 million to Manchester City for midfielder McAtee, whose move reportedly includes both a sell-on and buy-back clause.
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The Tricky Trees saw an initial £35 million bid for Hutchinson rejected last weekend before returning with an improved offer this week.
The 21-year-old scored a vital goal in England’s 3-2 extra-time victory over Germany in the U21 Euros final in June, finishing off nearly from McAtee’s set up.
He joined Ipswich from Chelsea for £20 million last summer after a successful loan spell that helped the Tractor Boys secure Premier League promotion the year before.
McAtee, 22, was captain as England triumphed in Slovakia earlier this summer and has long been on Forest’s radar.
He made 27 appearances for City last season, scoring seven goals across the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League, but started just three league matches.
The double swoop comes as Forest push to strengthen their squad before Sunday’s (August 17) Premier League opener against Brentford at the City Ground.
Fabrizio Romano has also reported that talks are at an advanced stage for Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, with the three deals expected to total close to £90m.
Forest have been seeking wide reinforcements after selling Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United for a club-record £55 million and have already brought in Dan Ndoye from Bologna.
This investment will be encouraging for Forest fans after an exhilarating Premier League campaign under Nuno Espirito Santo saw them stay in the hunt for a top-five finish until late in the season.
With Hutchinson and McAtee now on board, Forest are giving themselves every chance to challenge high up the table once again.
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