Midfielder Ryan Yates considers the retention of Morgan Gibbs-White by Nottingham Forest this summer to be a 'strong statement' from owner Evangelos Marinakis concerning the club's direction of travel.
Gibbs-White, 25, looked poised to leave for Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the transfer window, but at the end of last month it was confirmed that the former Wolves midfielder had agreed to commit his future to the City Ground and signed a new and improved deal which runs until the summer of 2028.
The Forest captain scored seven goals and produced 10 assists in the Premier League last season as the Reds secured European football for this coming campaign. The England international earned interest from elsewhere as a result - but in a significant fillip for Forest before the big kick off, the playmaker turned his back on suitors and has remained.
"We've kept Morgan - he's a fantastic player, a really key player since we've come up to the Premier League," Yates said. "You want to keep those players at the club, and it's a strong statement from the owner to be able to keep players like that."
As for Yates himself, he can't wait to get going again in what he acknowledges will be a heavily congested campaign in which every Forest player will be required by Nuno to step up and help cope with the schedule and continue competing on multiple fronts.
With the additions of Igor Jesus and Dan Ndoye, who both made their City Ground bows against Fiorentina on Tuesday, Yates is excited by what Forest can achieve this term on the back of last year - but the squad aren't getting too carried away with which European competition they'll be playing in ahead of the Court of Arbitration for Sport's hearing later this month.
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It promises to be an exciting season ahead for Nottingham Forest.
The 2024/25 campaign proved to be a special one for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. But it could get even better for the Reds this time around.
European football will be coming to the City Ground for the first time in three decades. It will be a whole new continental adventure for Forest, and they will be eager to give it a good go.
It all means there is a lot to look forward to this coming season. With that in mind, we have produced our Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Kick-Off special, our brilliant guide to the new season.
Our reporter Sarah Clapson will waltz you through what to expect from the Reds this coming season, turn the spotlight on Nuno, run the rule over one of Forest’s key men and take a look at the club’s transfer business. Our club-by-club guide will give you the lowdown on Forest’s Premier League rivals, while you will also be able to test your knowledge with our Premier League quiz.
We will also take a look at the summer’s biggest signings in the division, check out each ground and study the managers - new and old. With a full fixture list, Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Kick-Off will get you in perfect match shape in time for the Reds’ opening day curtain-raiser at home to Brentford on August 17.
Priced £3.50, pre-order your copy now from our online store and get it delivered direct to your door.
"I'm getting a little bit older now and I've had a few seasons, but you still get that buzz for the first game of the season and I'm really looking forward to it," Yates said.
"Pre-season has been really positive, I feel like you can't read too much into results at this stage, you just have to trust the manager's process. Everyone has had some really valuable minutes in the legs.
"First and foremost this club signs really good people. I feel like they've bedded in really well into the dressing room and you could see some really exciting performances. We're trying not to think about Europe too much, but it's difficult not to - it's going to be very special, but we're focused on our last pre-season game and then onto Brentford.
"The players aren't talking [about which competition they'll be playing in] too much. There's nothing we can affect, so we'll let it play out and whatever will be will be. We're looking forward to it, whatever the outcome is."
Forest open their 2025/26 Premier League account with a home game against Brentford on Sunday, August 17 (2pm kick-off).
Where will Forest finish in the new Premier League season? Have your say HERE
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