Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis sends Manchester City transfer plea over Morgan Gibbs-White | OneFootball

Manchester City are the desired destination for Morgan Gibbs-White this summer in the eyes of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, according to reports.

While City are yet to formalise any interest of their own, the idea of the Premier League giants joining the race for Gibbs-White has gained traction behind the scenes at Nottingham Forest, with Marinakis keen to steer the midfielder’s next step away from Tottenham.

Spurs had looked to be closing in on a deal for the 25-year-old earlier this month, but the transfer collapsed amid a bitter legal row involving the two clubs over the triggering of a £60 million release clause.

Gibbs-White, who has become one of Forest’s standout performers since arriving from Wolves, is seen as ready for a step up this summer. The England international registered seven goals and ten assists in the Premier League last season, with performances marked by creativity, flair, and an ability to dictate games in tight spaces.

However, it is unclear whether City share Forest’s enthusiasm over a potential swoop. While the Etihad club have explored midfield options this summer, with added uncertainty around the futures of James McAtee and Ilkay Gundogan, business in the position may already be complete through the signings of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.

Now, according to the information of talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is still hoping Manchester City come in with a rival bid to sign star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, amid interest from Tottenham.

It is claimed that Gibbs-White had told Marinakis at the end of last season that he would only leave the City Ground for a ‘certain level of club’, and in turn the Forest owner does not believe Spurs fit that category.

For now, a deal with Tottenham is off after the North London club had looked set to sign Gibbs-White after triggering a £60 million release clause, of which Nottingham Forest lodged a legal complaint.

From the side of Tottenham and their hopes of securing the player, the report states that there is still a belief that a transfer can be resurrected depending on the outcome of the legal challenge. For the time being, the player has returned to action for Forest in pre-season.

Gibbs-White’s Premier League experience, age profile, and technical ceiling all fit within the broader direction of Manchester City’s recruitment in recent windows, particularly with players such as Jack Grealish edging towards the exit door.

Should Nottingham Forest’s complaint against Spurs succeed and the London club be forced to restart negotiations or exit talks entirely, that moment could open the door for City to strike. Much may still depend on whether the Etihad club choose to offload players in Gibbs-White’s profile or position before actively pursuing incomings in that area.

For now, Evangelos Marinakis appears to be playing a public game, leveraging interest from elite clubs to force a resolution that better suits both Nottingham Forest’s finances and Morgan Gibbs-White’s personal ambitions.