Nottingham Forest have reaffirmed their stance against selling Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, despite growing interest from Aston Villa. The 26-year-old England international remains a key player for the club, and owner Evangelos Marinakis is determined to keep him at the City Ground. This comes after Forest finished 16th in the Premier League last season with 44 points, narrowly avoiding relegation.
Why is Nottingham Forest refusing to sell Gibbs-White?
Forest's decision is driven by their recent success and the need to maintain squad strength. After selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, the club is reluctant to lose another star player. Gibbs-White has been crucial to their survival, scoring key goals and providing creativity in midfield. Manager Oliver Glasner sees him as vital for next season, which begins with a home fixture against Coventry on September 19.
What does Aston Villa plan to do?
Aston Villa, fresh from selling Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for £117 million, are ready to spend big. Unai Emery's side views Gibbs-White as the perfect replacement, given his Premier League experience and versatility. However, Forest's owner Marinakis has shown before that he won’t be easily swayed, as seen when Gibbs-White nearly joined Tottenham last summer before signing a new contract.
How likely is a deal?
While Villa are prepared to test Forest’s resolve with a substantial offer, a move seems unlikely. Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Forest’s stance remains firm. "They don’t want to lose him under any circumstances," Brown said. "Gibbs-White is a very important player for them, and losing him would be a huge blow." With Forest finishing last season with 48 goals scored and 51 conceded, retaining their top talent is a priority.
