Man City could spark Wolves and Nottingham Forest transfer domino effect as they eye 'excellent’ talent

Former Wolves playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White is understood to be one of the top names on Manchester City’s shortlist to replace Kevin De Bruyne this summer, according to The Athletic.

City icon De Bruyne announced earlier this month that he will leave the club at the end of the season after 10 trophy-laden years at the Etihad Stadium which have seen him win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and one Champions League.

De Bruyne is viewed as one of the best footballers of his generation and he was recently described by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp as the best midfielder to have ever played in the Premier League.His departure leaves City with plenty of work to do on the recruitment front as they look to bounce back from one of their worst seasons since Pep Guardiola arrived at the Etihad in 2016.

Manchester City target Morgan Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White has enjoyed an impressive campaign so far, registering five goals and nine assists in 27 Premier League appearances for a Nottingham Forest side challenging for a Champions League place for the first time since the 1980s.

The former Wolves star has slotted beautifully into Forest’s midfield since his £40m move in 2022 and has this season established himself as a senior England international after forming part of the team which won the Under-21 European Championships in the summer 2023.

Gibbs-White was voted Nottingham Forest Player of the Season last term and continues to go from strength to strength with a series of commanding displays at the City Ground. Stuart Pearce, the last Forest player to represent the Three Lions back in 1997 describes Gibbs-White as an ‘exciting talent’.

“He’s done brilliantly well – last year I don’t think he did as well as the season before, but he’s an exciting talent, the manager knows him well and has worked with him well,” said Pearce, via Tribal Football. “He’s won things with England before, so I’m absolutely delighted – I’ve obviously got links with the club but he’s certainly a talent.”

Man City could spark Wolves and Nottingham Forest transfer domino effect

If Manchester City were to move for Morgan Gibbs-White it would leave a huge hole to fill in the Forest side as they gear up for the prospect of their first Champions League campaign in over 40 years. The sale of Gibbs-White would incentivize Forest to instantly look for a replacement and one player that is extremely high on their list of targets, according to Football Insider is Wolves star Matheus Cunha.

The Brazil international reportedly has a release clause of around £62.5m inserted into his contract after signing an extension at Molineux in January. He has scored 15 times in 29 appearances and has been a catalyst for Wolves’ survival push under Vitor Pereira after a series of stellar performances.

He told The Guardian: “I had a lot of offers (to leave in January) but I wouldn't feel well if I had done it. 'Some things you can't control but I couldn't leave the club in the middle of the season, in a difficult situation, in the relegation zone.

“Now, we're close to achieving our goal [of staying up]. But I've made it clear that I need to take the next step. I want to fight for titles, for big things. I have potential.”

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