‘Arsenal turn attention to Gibbs-White deal after Forest exit latest’
Arsenal have turned their attention towards signing Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old wants to play Champions League football next season.
Mikel Arteta is keen to add some drive to his midfield alongside Declan Rice, and views the England international as the perfect option.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 24 May that Arsenal have joined Man City in the race to sign Gibbs-White when the transfer window opens.
The former Wolves man has enjoyed a fantastic season at Forest, leading them back to European football with a seventh-placed finish as their main outlet in the middle.
However, Football Insider revealed on 16 May that Forest may be forced to sell Gibbs-White as they aim to balance the books and avoid another PSR breach.
Morgan Gibbs-White could make ‘perfect’ Arsenal move
Brown told Football Insider in April that Arsenal want to sign a world-class midfielder to play alongside Rice and get the best out of his attributes.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Gibbs-White is one of the Gunners’ top targets to strengthen in that role.
“Mikel Arteta wants to add more drive into his midfield,” he told Football Insider.
“At the moment, they’re very one-dimensional and very passive in their play.
“They move up the pitch in steady blocks, and then they get near the penalty box and there’s no space for anybody to run in to, which is a problem.
“Look at the best City and Liverpool teams, they all have the ability to break forward quickly and make those runs from the middle of the park.
“That’s something Arsenal lack and something they want to add to their squad.
“Morgan Gibbs-White is the perfect answer to that problem because that’s what he does best.
“He’s got energy, he makes those runs, he looks to drive the team forward.
“Declan Rice does that best for Arsenal, but then they’re also asking him to do all the other midfield job so it limits what he’s best at.
“Having Gibbs-White in there alongside him would get the best out of them both.
“I think it’s a deal that makes sense for him as well, because he’ll want to play in the Champions League next season and they can offer it.“
Ollie Watkins update emerges at Aston Villa
Alongside their desire to add a new midfielder to Arteta’s squad, they are also targeting a new striker after another frustrating season.
Ollie Watkins has been a key target for the role, and Brown told Football Insider on 27 May that Aston Villa could accept offers for Watkins this summer.
This comes despite Watkins having been a key part of Unai Emery’s side this season, as he scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists in 54 appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Villa will make a big-money sale to avoid a potential PSR breach.
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