After Chelsea links: BlueCo open talks for midfielder Pep Guardiola loves

RC Strasbourg have opened talks to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder James McAtee following recent links with Chelsea.

The 23-year-old was one of the most sought-after Premier League players in the summer after captaining England’s U21s to the European Championship title.

Although he featured fairly regularly for Man City last season, McAtee was not a guaranteed starter, which informed his desire to leave the club against the express wish of Pep Guardiola, who was desperate to keep him.

Nottingham Forest managed to beat several Premier League and Bundesliga clubs to the midfielder’s signature, but McAtee has been a victim of the upheaval at the City Ground this season.

He has struggled to convince the three managers who have been in charge this term and made just 10 appearances, primarily as a substitute. Unsurprisingly, then, suitors are starting to explore a January move.

McAtee could join Strasbourg, not Chelsea

In recent days, links with Chelsea emerged, but it has now been revealed that it is the other BlueCo club, Strasbourg, who are actively trying to sign the midfielder.

Various high-profile sources, including Fabrizio Romano, have confirmed that the Alsatians are concretely interested in the 23-year-old and that initial contact has already been made with his representatives.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca and other figures in the BlueCo network with a Man City past know McAtee well. Success at Strasbourg could perhaps pave the way for a future move to Stamford Bridge, but his initial transfer to France would reportedly only be a loan.

L’Equipe reports that Strasbourg appear to have a good chance of beating McAtee’s numerous other admirers as they have a solid relationship with Forest due to Dilane Bakwa’s €35 million move to the City Ground in the summer.

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