Nottingham Forest make Morgan Gibbs-White transfer decision as Aston Villa ready to spend 'huge money'

Nottingham Forest are sticking to their stance of refusing to sell Morgan Gibbs-White despite growing interest from Aston Villa.

Following Morgan Rogers' money-spinning move to Chelsea, Unai Emery's side have set their sights on replacements, with the 26-year-old high on their list of targets.

The England international is seen as the ideal replacement given his versatility and proven goalscoring record in the Premier League over recent seasons.

However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nottingham Forest will not let Gibbs-White go easily, especially to a divisional rival.

Instead, it would likely take a huge fee to even tempt the club into selling, with owner Evangelos Marinakis having shown previously how stubborn a negotiator he can be.

Last summer, Gibbs-White was close to joining Tottenham before the owner stepped in and convinced him to sign a long-term contract extension at the City Ground.

What is Nottingham Forest's stance over Morgan Gibbs-White?

Brown warned Football Insider last month that Nottingham Forest are not prepared to sell Gibbs-White, having made Arsenal aware of their lofty demands for him.

Following the big-money sale of Elliot Anderson to Man City, they are now reluctant to lose any more big names, or risk suffering a huge blow to the strength of their squad.

Gibbs-White has been crucial to Forest's recent success, and is expected to be a key player under Oliver Glasner, with the club now extremely reluctant to entertain his exit.

"Nottingham Forest have been clear about their stance on Gibbs-White," Brown told Football Insider.

"They don't want to lose him under any circumstances, that's why they got him to sign a new contract last summer to stop him joining Tottenham, and that stance hasn't changed.

"I would be surprised if Aston Villa didn't try to test Forest's resolve, because they are ready to spend huge money now, but I don't expect it will be an easy deal to do.

"We know how the owner at Forest operates, he won't want to weaken the squad, especially after Elliot Anderson was allowed to go to Man City.

"Regardless of the money that might be on the table from Villa, it will be very difficult to do a deal with Forest, because they're standing firm.

"Gibbs-White is a very important player for them and has been a big part of their success, losing him would be a huge blow, so they're ready to make sure that doesn't happen."

Could Aston Villa make a move to sign Gibbs-White?

Despite Nottingham Forest standing firm in their stance over Gibbs-White's future, there is a growing feeling that Aston Villa could now be prepared to test their resolve.

Given the money they have just recieved from the £117million sale of Rogers alongside other major exits, Emery's side are now expected to have funds to spend big.

Brown told Football Insider on 20 July that Aston Villa are ready to spend "huge" money and Gibbs-White has emerged as their top target to replace Rogers this summer.

The allure of Champions League football and the opportunity to take a step up away from the City Ground could be enough to convince Gibbs-White of the move.

However, much will depend on how much Forest are willing to stand by their stance, or whether they could be tempted for the right price.