Nottingham Forest have reportedly made their position on Morgan Gibbs-White crystal clear, with the club prepared to resist interest from some of Europe’s biggest sides in order to keep their influential midfielder at the City Ground.
The 26-year-old remains a major figure for Forest and continues to attract attention from Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Despite that interest, the club are understood to have no desire to sanction his departure in the near future.
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has suggested that Forest will do everything possible to retain Gibbs-White, regardless of which clubs come calling.
That stance comes amid increased scrutiny over the midfielder’s start to the season. Gibbs-White has not yet produced his best form under new head coach Oliver Glasner, but Forest appear unwilling to allow a difficult opening period to change their long-term plans.
The change in manager means players are still adapting to a new tactical system, and Brown believes Gibbs-White should be given time to settle into Glasner’s approach.
Forest have already demonstrated how serious they are about keeping the England international.
Gibbs-White rejected a move to Tottenham last summer and instead committed his future to Forest by signing a new long-term contract. The club’s reluctance to lose him has remained unchanged despite continued interest from elsewhere.
There have even been suggestions that Forest could explore another contract extension as they look to further strengthen their position.
For Forest supporters, that will come as significant news given the quality of clubs reportedly monitoring the midfielder.
However, the situation is not entirely straightforward.
Gibbs-White’s international ambitions could become an important factor in determining what happens next. There had been suggestions that he might need to join a bigger club to strengthen his chances of establishing himself with England.
But his late inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad provided evidence that remaining at Forest has not prevented him from staying in the international picture.
The bigger question may ultimately be what happens with Forest on the pitch.
Reports have suggested Gibbs-White is desperate to play Champions League football. He is understood to be happy at Forest if the club can challenge for European football again, but his position could become more complicated if the team fails to make progress.
Forest have endured a difficult opening to the campaign, winning only one of their first five Premier League matches.
That result has inevitably increased pressure around the club and Glasner, while also making the team’s future ambitions an important part of the Gibbs-White conversation.
Forest therefore face a delicate balancing act.
The club clearly value Gibbs-White and appear prepared to reject approaches for him. At the same time, the midfielder has ambitions of competing at the highest level in European football.
For now, though, Forest’s message is unmistakable: they do not want to sell.
Tottenham, Manchester United and Bayern Munich may continue to monitor the situation, but any potential move appears likely to face significant resistance from the City Ground hierarchy.
The coming months could prove decisive. If Forest can improve their form and push back towards European contention, Gibbs-White may have even more reason to remain.
If their struggles continue, however, the midfielder’s ambitions could ensure his future remains one of the biggest stories surrounding Nottingham Forest.
