Morgan Gibbs-White has been recently linked with a move to Manchester United amid Nottingham Forest’s growing chances of relegation.
Manchester United have now won five of their last six games, following the victory against Everton, as the club moves three points ahead of fifth and sixth-placed Chelsea in the race for the Champions League.
The club returns to action this weekend against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford. The Red Devils sit three points behind third-place Aston Villa and will hope that a win enables them to go level with the West Midlands side if results go their way.
Away from the pitch, the recruitment staff will be hoping to accelerate talks with potential targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
It is no secret that United require midfielders, and it is no surprise to see the club linked to many different names and profiles of players.
Gibbs-White keen on a move
Ever since Nottingham Forest returned to the Premier League, Morgan Gibbs-White has been one of the standout midfielders in the league.
Capable of playing as an eight or a No. 10, he has the versatility, silky dribbling, creativity, and clinicality to impress the Old Trafford faithful. The 26-year-old has often impressed in games against United, which, as with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo previously, has always boded well.
TeamTalk has reported that United have expressed a clear interest in the player, with their sources suggesting they are closely monitoring the situation.
It was also reported that the 26-year-old England International would be keen on a move to a club of United’s stature, and that should the club secure Champions League football, it would make the Red Devils a more appealing destination.
Although his dramatic failed move to Spurs showed that he had a £60 million release clause in his old contract, an £80 million release clause is believed to be in his new one, which has led the likes of Manchester City to show interest in the player.
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Right player, but the wrong fee?
Gibbs-White is certainly a player United should be in for. He has a clear quality to compete for positions in the midfield as well as on the flanks, and is Premier League proven.
At 26, he would represent a similar deal to what brought Cunha and Mbeumo to the club, showing a clear transfer policy for the club.
However, for £80 million, the club would be paying one of its biggest-ever transfer fees for a player who would not be a guaranteed starter. If this kind of fee were spent on the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, or Carlos Baleba, it could be justified, as they would be the heir to Casemiro and make a difference right away.
However, Gibbs-White would be competing with Bruno Fernandes, who, if he stays at the club beyond the summer, is virtually undroppable when fit, and Kobbie Mainoo, who is also cementing himself as a key figure.
If Forest were to go down and the club could get a cut-price deal, then, providing United have Champions League, the club would be able to compete with anyone for his signature.
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