‘Man City to open preliminary talks over Morgan Gibbs-White deal’
Man City are planning to open preliminary talks with Nottingham Forest to assess the possibility of a move for Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.
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 they want to establish what it would take to sign the 25-year-old.
Pep Guardiola is said to have been impressed by Gibbs-White’s performances at the City Ground and he would represent a different style to the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne.
However, City are considering a number of alternatives for the position and would be prepared to move on if they do not receive encouragement about the deal.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Gibbs-White is one of four Man City targets to replace De Bruyne after he announced he would be leaving this summer.
Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala have also been long-term targets at the Etihad, while the possibility of a new role for Phil Foden has also been discussed behind the scenes.
Man City eye Morgan Gibbs-White and Florian Wirtz deals
Brown told Football Insider in March that Man City have held talks with Wirtz’s representatives as they aim to beat Bayern Munich to his signature.
Now, 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 that a move for Gibbs-White will largely depend on Forest’s stance.
“Morgan Gibbs-White is a very good player,” he told Football Insider.
“But he’s not a like-for-like replacement for Kevin De Bruyne if that’s what Man City are looking for.
“He’s a different type of player, he’s a worker and a runner and he can change a game, but he’s not necessarily a creative player.
“The other players Man City have been talking about are more towards that side of things.
“Of course, they will know what he can bring to their team and I hear Pep Guardiola has been impressed.
“A lot of it will depend on whether there is a deal to be done.
“City will get in contact with Forest to establish what it would take to sign him this summer, and if they tell them he’s not for sale, I expect they’ll look at other options.
“Gibbs-White is a perfect fit in that Forest team, so I don’t expect they’ll let him go that easily.”
Kevin de Bruyne closing in on Inter Miami move
After De Bruyne announced his imminent departure from Man City, speculation has been rife about his potential destination come the summer.
Brown told Football Insider on 14 April that De Bruyne is interested in joining Inter Miami and progress is being made towards the move.
The 33-year-old would link up with Lionel Messi at David Beckham’s club, who have now emerged as the front runners for his signature.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in February that De Bruyne wants to quit Man City and move to the MLS amid rival interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
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