Nottingham Forest face the prospect of losing two star players to Man City this summer as the Sky Blues express real interest in both men, according to a new report.
Forest brace for Fenerbahçe test after Liverpool defeat
It has been quite a seven days for Forest.
When Vitor Pereira walked through the doors at the City Ground earlier this month, replacing the sacked Sean Dyche as the club's fourth manager of a chaotic season, expectations were modest. Keep them up, steady the ship, stop the rot.
Vitor-Pereira-Liverpool-Forest
What followed in his first game exceeded almost anyone's expectations.
Forest travelled to Istanbul to face Fenerbahçe in the Europa League knockout play-off first leg — a club Pereira managed on two separate occasions in his career — and dismantled them with startling ease.
Murillo thundered home a long-range strike in the 21st minute to open the scoring, Igor Jesus doubled the lead before the break, and Morgan Gibbs-White swept home a third early in the second half to seal a 3-0 victory.
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It was the largest away win in the club's European history. Pereira was clear about the message he had delivered to his squad: express yourselves, play with confidence, enjoy the game.
The momentum carried into the following Sunday when Liverpool arrived at the City Ground for Pereira's first home game.
Forest were magnificent for long stretches, restricting Arne Slot's title-chasing side to not a single shot on target in the first half. The visitors looked uncomfortable and disjointed, and Forest had every right to expect at least a point.
They did not get one.
Alexis Mac Allister, deep into the seventh minute of stoppage time, poked home to snatch an undeserved 1-0 victory, with Jamie Carragher describing it as one of the most blatant thefts of the season.
Forest stay two points above the relegation zone, with Thursday's Europa League second leg against Fenerbahçe at the City Ground — where a 3-0 lead makes progression almost certain — providing an immediate opportunity to lift the mood before the hard domestic work continues once again.
While the football has been cause for genuine optimism in the last week, news emerging from Old Trafford and the Etihad threatens to cast a shadow over Pereira's rebuilding project.
Man City eye double deal for Forest stars Gibbs-White and Anderson
A report from Germany earlier this week claimed that Arnaud Kalimuendo has his sights firmly on a permanent Forest exit, and that's been followed by more exit news.
gibbs-white-forest (2)
According to TEAMtalk, Man City are leading the race to sign Elliot Anderson, but are also in the race for Morgan Gibbs-White as they rival Man United for his signature.
It is believed that Pep Guardiola's side are targeting both men this summer, and if Forest are relegated to the Championship, then the pair will "100%" leave the City Ground.
Forest-Elliot-Anderson
Gibbs-White has captained Forest's Europa League charge in Istanbul and has racked up 26 goals and 33 assists in 155 appearances for the club.
The key detail that makes a move for the Englishman particularly realistic is a suggested release clause in Gibbs-White's contract, understood to activate for a fee in the region of £80 million if a Champions League-qualifying club comes calling.
Anderson, meanwhile, could cost north of £100 million as he bangs on Thomas Tuchel's door for a place in England's World Cup squad.
The former Newcastle star has been one of the shining lights in an otherwise frantic campaign for Forest, and the overwhelming expectation is that he will start a summer auction.
City appear to be right at the front of the queue already, and signing both Gibbs-White and Anderson would be a serious statement of intent.
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