According to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, Manchester City are keen on signing Morgan Gibbs-White as they look to bring in an ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne. While they have been working on a potential transfer for some time, Pep Guardiola’s team are now set to face competition from rivals Arsenal.
Gibbs-White has only gone from strength to strength since joining Nottingham from Wolves back in 2022. Not only has he established himself as a key figure in the Trick Trees’ first team, but he is also widely regarded as one of the best-attacking midfielders in the Premier League.
In the 2024/25 season, the English international has featured in a total of 34 league games and has contributed towards 17 goals (7 goals, 10 assists). His performances haven’t gone unnoticed and there is no shortage of interest in him.
Nottingham Forest will find it difficult to keep hold of the 25-year-old amid interest from the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal. With the Tricky Trees failing to secure a Champions League spot, their chances of retaining Gibbs-White for another season appear very slim.
While speaking to Football Insider about the English international’s future, Pete O’Rourke said: “They will be looking at alternatives for that attacking midfielder, a playmaker who can come in and improve City’s fortune next season”,
“Gibbs-White has been a long-term target, they have been keeping regular tabs on him this season.
“[Forest] could face a real battle to keep hold of him because Gibbs-White, he’s 25 now and has broken into the England squad.
“He’ll be looking to play at the highest level possible – in the Champions League – and that’s something that Arsenal could potentially offer to him.”
With Kevin De Bruyne leaving the club, City are on the lookout for a new attacking midfielder. Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz was their priority target. While they had been working on a deal for some time, they pulled out of the race once it became clear that he was more keen on joining Liverpool.
Now, they are looking at other options and Gibbs-White is at the top of their wishlist. He has been on their radar for some time and the club considers him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s system. But it seems the Manchester-based giants are set to face significant competition from rivals Arsenal, who have just entered the race for his signature.
The Gunners seek more firepower in the final third and the former Wolves star can certainly help their cause. He can add more creativity to their squad and could be an ideal cover for skipper Martin Ødegaard. He could even feature on the flanks or alongside the former Real Madrid star.
The North London club can also offer him regular Champions League football just like City. As a result, Gibbs-White certainly has a tough decision to make with regard to his future.
