Arsenal join race to sign Morgan Gibbs-White

Arsenal have officially entered the race to sign Nottingham Forest’s standout midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, setting up a transfer battle with Premier League champions Manchester City.

City Eye Gibbs-White as De Bruyne Successor

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Manchester City have identified Gibbs-White as a key target to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne. Pep Guardiola’s side have been tracking the Nottingham Forest star for months, but they now face stiff competition from Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

City had initially prioritised a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz. However, with the German playmaker reportedly leaning towards a Liverpool move, attention has swiftly shifted to Gibbs-White.

Arsenal’s Creative Ambitions

The Gunners are on the lookout for additional attacking reinforcements to support Martin Ødegaard, and see Gibbs-White as a versatile option. Capable of playing centrally, out wide, or alongside Ødegaard, the 25-year-old could bring a new creative spark to Arsenal’s frontline.

With guaranteed Champions League football and a clearly defined role in Arteta’s system, Arsenal present a compelling alternative to City’s offer.

A Breakout Star at Forest

Since joining Nottingham Forest from Wolves in 2022, Gibbs-White has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most consistent attacking midfielders. In the 2024/25 season, he made 34 league appearances, tallying 7 goals and 10 assists—a clear reflection of his growing influence.

With Forest failing to qualify for European competition, retaining their star man now looks increasingly unlikely. Both Arsenal and Manchester City are circling—and a big-money summer move appears inevitable.