Chelsea are reportedly preparing a fresh transfer move as the January window approaches, with their sights set on a familiar strategy. The Blues are interested in signing midfielder James McAtee from Nottingham Forest, in a deal that echoes their successful acquisition of Cole Palmer from Manchester City.
Chelsea's Quiet Window Plan and Midfield Target
Despite anticipating a relatively quiet January, manager Enzo Maresca could be prompted into action to bolster his squad's depth. This comes after a recent dip in form, including a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, as Chelsea compete for a top-four Premier League finish. Injuries have also played a part, as they have for many clubs this season.
The focus has fallen on 23-year-old James McAtee. The midfielder left Manchester City for Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2025 for a fee of £22 million, seeking regular first-team football after struggling to break into the City side—a path strikingly similar to Cole Palmer's before his £42.5m switch to Stamford Bridge.
The Palmer Blueprint and Chelsea's Long-Term Interest
Chelsea's signing of Cole Palmer in September 2023 has proven to be a masterstroke, making the prospect of repeating the formula with another former City academy star an appealing one. According to reports, including from the Daily Mail's Chelsea correspondent Kieran Gill, the Blues' interest in McAtee is long-standing. Chelsea have tracked McAtee since his youth at Manchester City, mirroring their approach with Palmer before finally securing his signature.
Since his move to the Midlands, McAtee has found minutes limited, making just 10 appearances in all competitions for Forest. This lack of game time has sparked speculation that he could be on the move again only months after his arrival, presenting Chelsea with a potential bargain opportunity.
A Potential Pathway Via Strasbourg
The most likely scenario, should Chelsea secure a deal, would see McAtee follow a now-familiar development path at Stamford Bridge. The club is reportedly considering signing the player and then immediately sending him on loan to their partner club, Strasbourg in France, to gain crucial regular playing time.
This model has yielded recent success for the Blues with Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos. After a stellar loan spell at Strasbourg last season—where he made 45 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists—Santos has now fully integrated into Chelsea's first-team squad under Maresca. The 21-year-old has made 19 appearances this season, contributing a goal and four assists.
Chelsea's pursuit of McAtee represents a calculated piece of transfer business, aiming to unearth another gem by leveraging their multi-club model and keen eye for talent developed at rival clubs. With the January window set to open, this is a story that could develop quickly, especially if Chelsea's midfield faces further fitness issues.
