TBR Football can exclusively confirm what Nottingham Forest are planning to do with Morgan Gibbs-White amid interest from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool.
It has been reported that Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham are among the Premier League clubs keen on Gibbs-White.
The England international has been in great form this season, contributing a total of five goals and six assists from midfield in 24 Premier League games.
Gibbs-White’s efforts in helping Forest challenge for a Champions League place has led to interest from the Premier League’s top clubs, but the Reds have other plans.
Nottingham Forest has given a hands-off warning to Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of contract discussions.
According to TBR Football’s main writer Graeme Bailey, the club does not want to let Gibbs-White depart.
The Reds feel that if they finish in the top five of the Premier League this season and qualify for the Champions League, with England winning the race for an additional slot, he will stay.
Forest are willing to discuss terms for a new contract, which they aim to sign in the summer, along with Nuno Espirito Santo’s.
Gibbs-White has admirers in the Premier League, but Newcastle United has shown the most interest.
If Gibbs-White were to leave, we’re told his value would be more than £70 million – Forest respect him highly, but they stress they’re not exploring a sale at this time.
So it appears that his future may be determined by where they finish, though if he gets called up to the England squad as Forest prepare for the World Cup, they believe this will also help significantly.
What footballing icons have been saying about Morgan Gibbs-White
Footballers’ reactions to Morgan Gibbs-White White has thrived at Forest since coming from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported £44.5 million in 2022.
Many footballers, including Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, have praised Gibbs-White in recent months.
“Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga are exceptional players,” Guardiola recently stated.
“He’s a modern-day player,” Peter Crouch told TNT Sports following Forest’s recent 7-0 victory over Brighton. “Back in our day, players with that talent were nearly considered luxury items.
“But the amount of work he puts in and the pressing – if you want to play a high press, he can do it, if you want to sit back, he’s transitional, and when you win the ball, he carries it and always makes the proper pass.
“[He does] a bit of everything and he does it really well; he can get goals, create goals, he’s very clever in the way he goes down for the penalty – he won’t thank me for saying this – but he accentuates the foul, very intelligent.”
Meanwhile, Gary Lineker earlier stated about Gibbs-White, “I’ve admired him for years, I’ve always thought he’s got something.”
Stuart Pearce, a City Ground icon, also praised Gibbs-White following the midfielder’s first England call-up.
According to Tribal Football, Pearce stated last year: “Someone sent me something the other day saying he’s the first England player since me in 1997!”
“For the club, it’s tremendous recognition and demonstrates where they’re headed again.
“He’s done brilliantly well – last year I don’t think he did as well as the season before, but he’s an exciting talent, the manager knows him well and has worked with him well.”
