Tottenham to rival Manchester United for the signing of Premier League star.
Tottenham Hotspur are expected to be in the market for attacking players following their problems in chance creation and scoring goals this season.
Injuries to key creative midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have had a huge impact on Spurs’ performances. Just when Xavi Simons was showing signs of life, he cruelly sustained an ACL rupture, joining fellow creative attacker Mohammed Kudus on the sidelines.
To compensate for Simons’ injury, Roberto De Zerbi has used Conor Gallagher in an advanced role in midfield. While the move has worked out to some extent, it can never become a long-term solution to Tottenham’s creative woes. And as Maddison is eased back into the fold following his recovery from ACL injury, coupled with no timeline for Kulusevski’s return from a knee injury, the N17 bosses must prioritise the addition of a playmaker in the summer transfer window.
Tottenham to face competition from Manchester United for Nottingham Forest star
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has long been admired by Tottenham and its recruitment team. Spurs wanted to sign and even triggered the release clause of the England international last summer. However, Nottingham Forest threatened legal action against Spurs, and the move eventually fell through, with the 26-year-old signing a new contract.
Having stayed at Nottingham Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White has enjoyed a strong individual season. With 16 goals and seven assists in 51 games, he has enhanced his reputation further as one of the most exciting midfield talents in the Premier League, and has also been nominated for EA Sports Player of the Season. As expected, his strong performances and vital contributions at City Ground have not gone unnoticed across the Premier League.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United are keen on signing Gibbs-White. They could rival Spurs for the Forest ace.
The Red Devils have clinched Champions League qualification under interim boss Michael Carrick, who is now the frontrunner for the full-time job. With Casemiro set to depart, and skipper Bruno Fernandes not getting any younger, INEOS feel Gibbs-White could become an ideal addition to Manchester United’s midfield. Due to his creativity, running power, vision and work rate, it is no surprise Man United are interested in the England international.
However, the report adds Forest are confident Gibbs-White will reject any interest and remain at the City Ground beyond the summer. The Tricky Trees placed an eye-watering £100m price tag on their his head last summer, but this time around are keen to build the team around their skipper rather than cashing in on him. Instead, the club feels internally resigned to losing fellow key man Elliot Anderson, who is attracting interest from Man United and Manchester City.
Man United hold the edge over Tottenham in signing Morgan Gibbs-White
United have been overly dependent on Bruno Fernandes for creativity, goals and leadership. As the Portuguese star is 31, and whether he will stay put at the club for another year remains to be seen, INEOS want to be proactive and lure Gibbs-White to Old Trafford. If Fernandes stays, Gibbs-White would add competition for the United skipper and improve their squad depth.
As far as Tottenham are concerned, their admiration for Gibbs-White is active and longstanding. At White Hart Lane, the Stafford-born talent could become a centrepiece of De Zerbi’s project. However, it’d be difficult for them to beat United to his signing. That is purely because the Red Devils could offer Gibbs-White the perfect blend of ambition, stability, and opportunity, provided he pushes to leave the City Ground in the summer.
With Forest safe, the chances of Gibbs-White leaving the club appear slim.