‘Arsenal lead race for Morgan Gibbs-White after major Man City transfer news’
Arsenal could be set for an unchallenged pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White this summer after the latest news in the transfer window.
Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side, and the supporters, appear resigned to losing the 25-year-old playmaker following his incredible campaign at the City Ground, notching seven goals and eight assists in 38 games.
Before the final day of the Premier League season, Tim Sherwood suggested that Champions League qualification would keep Gibbs-White from exploring his options in the summer.
However, after losing 1-0 to Chelsea at the City Ground, punished by a Levi Colwill goal, Forest were condemned to Europa Conference League football instead, putting their transfer hopes on hold.
Now, Football Insider understand that Arsenal have joined the race to sign Gibbs-White, wanting to compete with Man City for the player this summer.
Football Insider reported in May that Gibbs-White would be “flattered” by a move to Man City, but with Pep Guardiola’s side now making alternative moves in the transfer market, a battle for his signature seems unlikely.
Man City to drop out of Morgan Gibbs-White transfer race
While the England international has long been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders is set to be City’s first piece of business after a “here we go” from Fabrizio Romano.
Following the news, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook took to X (4 June), writing: “Man City have agreed a €55m fee for AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. Five-year contract set to be signed before the Club World Cup. Move for Morgan Gibbs-White now unlikely.”
Football Insider also understands that Lyon’s Rayan Cherki is a concrete option for Man City this summer, with the player having a bargain £20million release clause in his contract.
Both moves would suggest that Guardiola’s side will pull out of the race for yet another creative midfielder, with Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Omar Marmoush all still available going forward.
Arsenal to go unchallenged in pursuit of Nottingham Forest star
Despite such a brilliant season for the Reds, only the Citizens have been named as a potential rival for the Gunners this summer, leaving the door wide open for Mikel Arteta to make a move.
Martin Odegaard was savaged by Arsenal fans in 2024/25, but with only Bukayo Saka registering more assists than the midfielder in the Premier League, another playmaker could be vital to the manager’s future.
It has been suggested that Arteta could leave Arsenal without major silverware next summer, so if the Spaniard wants to show his ambition, bringing Gibbs-White to the Emirates would be a good first start.
The Forest star’s impact, with all the stars around him at the Emirates, would be priceless, especially if it brought either the Premier League or Champions League title to North London.
With the Citizens now likely out of the race, the Gunners cannot waste time in reaching an agreement to sign the 25-year-old talent this summer.