Forest star may be target for Spurs in next window
HAMMERS HAVE ALSO BEEN LINKED WITH GIBBS-WHITE
TOTTENHAM Hotspur are reportedly keeping an eye on Nottingham Forest’s star player Morgan Gibbswhite, with a view to signing him in the summer transfer window, it has been claimed.
This week, Forest were docked four points for not adhering to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. They could face more punishment further down the line, so selling a key player to help balance the books could be on the cards.
And one option open to them would be to dispose of 24-year-old Gibbs-white, who joined from Wolves in 2022 and could net the club as much as £42m.
He was instrumental in helping Forest avoid the drop from the Premier League last season, so much so that he been picked as captain this season, as well as scoring five goals and making four assists.
After losing points, Gibbs-white will look to play a big part in helping Forest stay in the Premier League this term but his future at the City Ground is now somewhat unclear as he remains the club’s most saleable asset.
According to TALKSPORT, both West Ham United and Tottenham are keen on the English midfielder, with Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou being a particular admirer.
Spurs have form when it comes to signing young Forest talent, having snapped up Brennan Johnson for in excess of £47m last summer – a deal used by the Reds when trying to persuade the Premier League that they had stayed the right side of spending rules.
Johnson is doing well for Spurs, scoring four goals and setting up six more so far, making him a key player for Postecoglou.
“He’s been great,” said the Spurs boss.
“For a younger player that’s the hardest area of the pitch to come in and make an impression because you’re usually only judged by one thing and that’s your goal involvements, and everything else in your game doesn’t really register.
“For a young person like Brennan, who has come into a big club with a significant transfer, I think he’s handled it well at every juncture. He’s taken information on board.
“He’s worked really hard in the areas we’ve asked him to work hard in, and he’s already got great qualities. That’s why we brought him here. He’s beginning to get the rewards now but that doesn’t mean that stops.
“That’s the beauty for him and all of the guys, that it’s not about being satisfied with where you’re at and if they keep having that attitude of wanting to improve, then that’s going to make us a stronger team and them key contributors.”
Postecoglou would be keen to build on the budding relationship Gibbs-white and Johnson established at Forest, while he could also slot into the James Maddison role for Spurs.
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer says Gibbs-white has a “huge” part to play as Forest battle to stay in the Premier League.
The Reds are in 18th place, one point adrift of safety with only nine matches to play as the club decides whether to launch an appeal against the sanction.
Luton Town are the team directly above Forest in 17th place and the two teams drew 1-1 at Kenilworth Road in the Premier League last Saturday, the visitors taking a 1-0 lead in the first half through Chris Wood before conceding an 89th-minute equaliser.
If Forest had held on for victory they would still be above Luton, despite their points deduction.
Picking his Premier League Team of the Week, Shearer named Gibbswhite in his XI for his performance against the Hatters.
“He will play a huge part if Forest are to stay up this season,” said Shearer. “Laid the ball on a plate for Chris Wood with a fantastic cross.”