Why Newcastle United's transfer interest in influential £43m Nottingham Forest star makes perfect sense
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Newcastle United are believed to be keeping a close eye on Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White - and it’s not hard to see why.
There was some surprise when Forest paid around £42.5m to secure the signing of the England Under-21 star ahead of their return to the Premier League in August 2022. Yet over time, Gibbs-White has proven to be something of a shrewd addition after scoring 12 goals and providing 18 assists in 84 appearances in all competitions and has become a leading player within the Forest side. His form was also rewarded with a maiden senior call-up to the England squad and the attacking midfielder earned his first cap earlier this month with a substitute appearance in the 2-0 win against Republic of Ireland. His call-up meant Gibbs-White became the first Forest player to represent England at senior level in 1997 and Three Lions interim manager Lee Carsley left no doubt over his appreciation of the midfielder’s talents.
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Hide AdSpeaking after announcing his first England squad, he told Sky Sports: “I’m sure people will be more aware of Morgan. He’s a very attacking player, full of energy, he’s very creative, very exciting. He’s got a brilliant attitude and an excellent work rate. He’s very difficult to play against and he’s been really successful with England, which is also something that I felt was really important. With a lot of these players we’ve called in they’re used to winning and getting to the latter stages of tournaments. Morgan was part of that World Cup team all those years ago that went and won that and he also won the Euros with the under-21s.”
There aren’t many people in football better placed to discuss Gibbs-White’s progress than current Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The Portuguese boss worked with the midfielder during his time in charge of Wolves and was reunited with Gibbs-White when he succeeded Steve Cooper as head coach of Forest in December last year. He revealed his pride at the midfielder’s progress into the highest level of the game - but also challenged Gibbs-White to ensure his time with the England squad is not just a one-off.
Speaking after the international break said of his time with England, he said: “It helps, it doesn’t change much because Morgan is always 100 per cent focused. But it helps, he is happy, enjoying his football and I see a happy boy. That’s important. We, as a club, are very proud, not only for him, but all the players we have seen on international duty. We are delighted for them. Morgan has played at all the age stages of the national team, it was a matter of time. He had the quality and ambition to play for England, it was always one of this goals. He achieved it and hopefully he can repeat it.”
His form for his club and the international recognition he has received means there should be little surprise if Newcastle - or any other willing suitor - are considering a move for the 24-year-old. Although Gibbs-White still has just under three years left on his current contract at the City Ground and would command a sizeable fee if Forest were tempted into a sale, the benefits for any buyer are all too evident. His ability to function in a number of roles in midfield, to drive forwards when in possession and his comfort on the ball in high-pressure situations provide Magpies manager Eddie Howe with the sort of attributes he loves in the players he entrusts with carrying the workload in the heart of his side. The fact he can also function effectively on the right-hand side of a front three will only add to the attraction of making what would be a lucrative move.
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Hide AdLooking at Newcastle’s options in the middle of midfield, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and the ever influential Bruno Guimaraes are all effective in their own ways - but it could be argued only Joe Willock can provide the sort of forward thrust and attacking intent Gibbs-White has shown throughout his time at Forest. Comparing the stats racked up by the former Wolves man last season with those of the men he would share a dressing room with at St. James’ Park makes for interesting reading.
For example, Gibbs-White’s average goals and assists per 90 minutes last season sits at 0.43, which is marginally ahead of Guimaraes - but comfortably above the other Magpies midfielders. That said, it should be pointed out his pass completion percentage of 70.6 sits at the bottom of the list - although that could be partly down to the fact he is attempting more incisive and potentially risky passes in the final third. That is perhaps shown in Gibbs-White’s impressive tally of 4.25 goal and shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, with Guimaraes’ 3.94 meaning the Brazilian is the only current Magpies star that comes close to matching that average.
If Howe and the Magpies hierarchy are keen to add some attacking intent into their midfield ranks, a move for Gibbs-White would make sense - although it would no doubt be a costly deal that could apply pressure in their battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.
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