Pep Guardiola Morgan Gibbs-White Man City
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sat 24 May 2025 21:00, UK
Manchester City now face competition from Arsenal in their bid to sign Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have told him about the latest twist in the Gibbs-White transfer saga.
Man City have turned their attention towards Gibbs-White as their top target with their move for Florian Wirtz on the verge of collapse, and the Nottingham Forest playmaker is now in the sights of another club.
Wirtz travelled to Manchester with his parents a matter of days ago as a move to City edged closer, but Pep Guardiola‘s side have now fallen behind Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the race to sign the German.
Sources have now told Football Insider that Forest “face a battle” to retain Gibbs-White regardless of their qualification for the Champions League, and Arsenal are set to compete with City for his signature.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (23 May) that City have abandoned their pursuit of Wirtz to focus full attention on Gibbs-White, but only Arsenal can currently offer Champions League football next season.
Man City target Florian Wirtz
Manchester City look set to miss out on Florian Wirtz this summer (Credit: Imago)
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Man City risk missing out on Gibbs-White after Arsenal approach
Football Insider revealed on 10 May that Gibbs-White was “flattered” by Man City’s interest after his breakout season for Forest, and Arsenal provides the 25-year-old with another potential destination.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that both Arsenal and City will tempt Gibbs-White with the offer of regular Champions League football, as Guardiola’s side do their best to wrap up the transfer.
“They will be looking at alternatives for that attacking midfielder, a playmaker who can come in and improve City’s fortune next season”, he told Football Insider.
“Gibbs-White has been a long-term target, they have been keeping regular tabs on him this season.
“[Forest] could face a real battle to keep hold of him because Gibbs-White, he’s 25 now and has broken into the England squad.
“He’ll be looking to play at the highest level possible – in the Champions League – and that’s something that Arsenal could potentially offer to him.”
Man City are interested in signing Morgan Gibbs-White
Man City hope to sign Morgan Gibbs-White this summer (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Gibbs-White transfer saga to emulate Wirtz at Man City
Man City have all-but missed out on Wirtz’s services given his preference to join Bayern or Liverpool, but Gibbs-White is one of several ‘Plan B’ options Guardiola may turn to in a bid to replace Kevin De Bruyne.
Arsenal’s interest in Gibbs-White creates another potential setback before the window has even opened, but Paul Robinson told Football Insider that City are ready to “blow their whole budget” on the Forest star.
Gibbs-White could command a similar fee to Wirtz after Forest putt a £100million price tag on his head, but in a shoot-out between City and Arsenal in that case, you’d back Guardiola’s side to get the deal done.
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