Antonio Rudiger and Tammy Abraham react to Hudson-Odoi’s message amid Nottingham Forest uncertainty
Nottingham Forest will be keen to retain both Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of next season.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side will play on the continent for the first time in 29 years next term after their seventh-placed Premier League finish in 2023–24, and Forest are keen to bulk up their squad as a result.
Forest were sat in the Champions League places for much of the campaign, but a late slump in form saw them drop outside the top five and the Reds eventually had to settle for a spot in the Conference League.
Botafogo trio Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha and Cuiabano may be on their way to the City Ground, but Forest are also desperate to ensure they keep hold of star players like Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi this summer.
Hudson-Odoi ready to ‘graft’ ahead of Nottingham Forest return
Gibbs-White was Forest’s main headline-grabber last season with his seven goals and 10 assists, but Forest’s failure to reach the Champions League had seen several big-hitters circle the Reds playmaker.
Forest have fought tooth and nail to prevent Gibbs-White’s exit so far this summer, and have also taken steps to tie Hudson-Odoi down to a long-term contract after his eight goal contributions last season.
Hudson-Odoi‘s off-season has been a busy one away from the City Ground and the 24-year-old posted on Instagram (1 June), including a selection of photos which he captioned with: “Graft and enjoy”.
Ex-Chelsea team-mates Tammy Abraham and Antonio Rudiger both liked the post, while Gibbs-White left a comment of a ‘cook’ emoji to show his support.
Nottingham Forest given boost amid Gibbs-White exit talk
Football Insider Verdict
Although Forest went into the summer fairly confident that Hudson-Odoi would sign a new deal at the City Ground, the number of Premier League heavyweights circling Gibbs-White was a massive concern.
Arsenal and Manchester City looked set to go head-to-head for Forest’s number 10, but the latter’s signings of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders has left them all-but out of the running for Gibbs-White.
Anthony Elanga may end up being the player who does leave the Reds this summer, but it’s clear that after Forest put a £100million price tag on Gibbs-White’s head, he’s one they simply can’t do without.