Nottingham Forest stance on Morgan Gibbs-White revealed amid Manchester City emerging as frontrunners | OneFootball

Manchester City are expected to face a stern test of their negotiation prowess if they are to concretely pursue Morgan Gibbs-White during the upcoming summer market.

The Premier League champions of the last four seasons are due to undergo significant surgery within their first-team roster, particularly in the centre of the park in a focus that has only been further heightened in recent weeks.

Following brief talks between members of the club’s hierarchy and the player himself, Manchester City decided not to offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, allowing him to leave on a free transfer this summer.

With the Belgian international widely regarded by many as being Manchester City’s greatest-ever player, the task to replace such a creative threat in Pep Guardiola’s operation will be of mammoth proportions to incoming director of football, Hugo Viana.

Among the names to be deemed as appropriate for the role is Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, with the German star yet to make a firm decision on his future amid interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, too.

The price tag set to be demanded by the Bundesliga club could turn Manchester City towards other targets, including Premier League star Morgan Gibbs-White – who may also command a remarkable sum of money from the viewpoint of his current employers.

However, according to a new report from The Times’ Charlotte Duncker, Nottingham Forest have no desire to sell Gibbs-White this summer, and are also not in a financial position where they need to sell the player.

A previous line of reporting has been reiterated with it once again made clear that clubs will test the City Ground’s resolve on the England international when the transfer window re-opens, with Manchester City considered the frontrunners in the chase.

It remains to be seen what the 25-year-old’s view on potential Etihad Stadium interest would be in the summer, with the prospect of UEFA Champions League football still looming for himself and his current set of teammates.

Nottingham Forest – under the coaching guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo this season – have arguably been the surprise package of the campaign as they continue to find themselves firmly challenging for a top-five finish.

Although, competition for places in next season’s Champions League are being hotly-contested at the summit of the Premier League, with Manchester City and Nottingham Forest also accompanied by the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Bournemouth.