Exclusive: Man City Ready to Hijack Spurs’ Move for Morgan Gibbs-White

Manchester City are ready to enter the race to sign Morgan Gibbs-White as Nottingham Forest continue to play hardball with Tottenham Hotspur, SportsBoom understands.

Evangelos Marinakis, the Forest owner, has accused Spurs of making an illegal approach for Gibbs-White after details of the £60m release clause contained within his contract were apparently leaked to the Londoners.

HIJACK SPURS MOVE

Although Spurs boss Thomas Frank remains confident of adding the former Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker to his squad ahead of the forthcoming season, City could complicate matters by submitting a bid of their own.

Pep Guardiola is a long-standing admirer of Gibbs-White and had been expected to try and lure him to the Etihad after deciding that Jack Grealish is surplus to requirements.

With the route to the 25-year-old’s signature now clear, that is tempting some members of the Catalan’s inner circle to rest Spurs’ resolve - particularly as Marinakis, a notoriously tough negotiator, would prefer to sell to City than Frank’s employers.

Gibbs-White is still training with Forest, despite the on-going speculation regarding his future. But reports suggest that, after two prolific campaigns in the East Midlands, he is now willing to entertain the prospect of furthering his burgeoning career elsewhere.

Gibbs-White netted seven times in 38 appearances for Forest last term, and was a driving force behind their march into Europe.

Despite his seemingly intransigent stance, Marinakis concedes it will be difficult to retain the services of a player who wants to move elsewhere. 

POTENTIAL SWAP DEAL

Given Forest’s interest in City’s James McAtee, who like Gibbs-White made his name whilst on loan with Sheffield United, Marinakis believes it would make more sense to hold talks with City than Spurs.

Gibbs-White has been awarded four caps by England, after helping the Young Lions win the under-17 World Cup in India eight years ago.