Arsenal want Morgan Rogers first, but Morgan Gibbs-White is the live alternative if that move does not happen. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has just posted 18 goals and 7 assists in his best season to date, and Forest expect him to stay for at least one more season after tying him down until 2028.
Why Arsenal are looking at Gibbs-White
The appeal is obvious. Gibbs-White has 15 Premier League goals, which makes him the second highest-scoring Englishman in the division behind Ollie Watkins, and he has 18 goals plus 7 assists across all competitions. That is the sort of output that puts him on a serious shortlist, especially when Arsenal are planning for another big summer.
Josh Kroenke told Metro that: "The business never stops. Right now there are already other teams who are trying to strengthen and come at us for next season." That fits the shape of this story. Arsenal are already talking about improving in several areas, and Gibbs-White has enough end product to be more than just a name on a secondary list.
Why Forest expect to keep him
Forest's position is stronger than most clubs facing this kind of interest. Gibbs-White signed a new three-year contract at the City Ground after Tottenham activated his £60m release clause last summer, and the club expect him to stay for at least one more season. That gives them real leverage.
There is also no obvious pressure point forcing a sale. He is not being pushed out, and Forest are under no obligation to entertain a quick deal just because Arsenal are looking. If anything, the structure of the contract makes this feel like a proper negotiation rather than a simple raid.
The wider debate is less about whether Gibbs-White is good enough and more about whether Arsenal will get to their preferred target in the first place. If they do not, Forest know exactly what they have in a player with 18 goals, 7 assists and a contract that runs to 2028.
FAQ
Is Morgan Gibbs-White a realistic Arsenal transfer target this summer?
Yes, but as a fallback rather than the first name on the list. Arsenal want Morgan Rogers first, while Morgan Gibbs-White is the live alternative. Nottingham Forest expect him to stay for at least one more season, and his contract runs to 2028, so any move would need a proper negotiation.
Why are Nottingham Forest confident about keeping Morgan Gibbs-White?
Forest are in a strong position because Gibbs-White signed a new three-year contract at the City Ground after Tottenham activated his £60m release clause last summer. They expect him to stay for at least one more season, which makes a summer sale difficult unless a major offer changes their stance.
What makes Morgan Gibbs-White attractive to Arsenal?
His output is the main selling point. Gibbs-White has 18 goals and 7 assists in his best season to date, plus 15 Premier League goals overall, which makes him the second highest-scoring Englishman in the division behind Ollie Watkins.
Did Thomas Tuchel drop Morgan Gibbs-White for disciplinary reasons?
No. Thomas Tuchel said the decision was about positional balance and squad construction, not wrongdoing. Gibbs-White said he had done more than enough to be selected and felt he got on the wrong side of someone's opinion.
Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →