Nottingham Forest have reportedly reached a decision over their asking price for Morgan Gibbs-White.
The East Midlands outfit endured somewhat of a chaotic start to the summer transfer window, their focus being on avoiding breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Despite making the potentially key addition of Newcastle United midfielder Elliot Anderson, Forest generated enough funds through the sales of several players to move to the right side of the rules.
As a result, a calmer approach can be taken for the remainder of the market, Forest having since bolstered their ranks with the signing of Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic.
Nevertheless, Forest will inevitably have to deal with constant speculation regarding some of their key men, particularly Murillo and Gibbs-White.
Spurs remain keen on Gibbs-White
While talk regarding both players has quietened down of late, there are five weeks of the transfer window remaining and high-profile clubs are still welcoming back players who have been on international duty.
Spurs have a long-standing interest in Gibbs-White, who would help them improve a domestic quota of players that has been weakened with the departures of several squad members.
However, according to Football Insider, the North Londoners will have to shell out at least £40m if they wish to sign Gibbs-White before the end of August.
The report states that Forest have little interest in cashing in on the playmaker, who currently has three years remaining on his contract at the City Ground.
Although Forest remain in a strong position on that front, there could be an acceptance behind the scenes that the 24-year-old may be against extending his terms given the admirers that he has elsewhere.
Are Spurs likely to meet Forest’s demands?
In two years at Forest, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers youngster has become a proven Premier League performer, contributing 10 goals and 18 assists from 72 appearances.
A call-up to the England squad is yet to materialise, although it is a genuine possibility come the next international break with the Three Lions soon to be under new management.
Forest committed to paying a fee that could reach £42m if all add-ons are activated when acquiring Gibbs-White’s services two years ago, so an asking price of at least £40m will feel entirely justified.
From the perspective of Spurs, though, any move may be dependent on whether Ange Postecoglou views Gibbs-White as an upgrade on James Maddison.
By comparison to Gibbs-White, the 27-year-old contributed four goals and nine assists in the top flight during 2023-24, chipping in with just two assists during his final 11 appearances.
