Gibbs-White: Is he really a worthy successor to KdB?
City Turn Focus to Gibbs-White as De Bruyne Successor Search Begins
Manchester City have identified Morgan Gibbs-White as a leading candidate to bolster their midfield this summer.
Manchester City have identified Morgan Gibbs-White as a leading candidate to bolster their midfield this summer, with Nottingham Forest set to demand in the region of £70 million for the talented playmaker.
The 25-year-old has caught the eye of Pep Guardiola and his recruitment team as the Premier League champions prepare for a significant squad refresh. Following the news that Kevin De Bruyne will leave the Etihad at the end of the season, City’s focus has turned to sourcing long-term midfield options capable of shaping the club’s next era.
De Bruyne’s impending departure, after ten years of remarkable service and a haul of domestic and European honours, signals a changing of the guard in Manchester. With interest in the Belgian gathering pace from the likes of Napoli and MLS outfit Chicago Fire, Guardiola will be tasked with filling an enormous creative void.
City had previously explored a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, but escalating costs have forced the club to shift their attention to more viable targets. Gibbs-White, who has enjoyed a strong campaign at the City Ground, has emerged as a serious contender.
According to Mail Sport, Forest will seek a substantial fee for their prized asset, with former club Wolves due a slice of any profit under the terms of his 2022 transfer. There is also a growing belief within Forest’s dressing room that Gibbs-White could depart in the coming weeks.
The player’s future became a topic of even greater intrigue after Guardiola was seen sharing a lengthy exchange with him on the Wembley pitch following City’s FA Cup semi-final win — a moment that reportedly raised eyebrows among Forest staff.
Despite a barren run in front of goal earlier this year, Gibbs-White has impressed in recent outings and remains a pivotal figure for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. However, Mail Sport notes the Forest boss has become increasingly frustrated by the ongoing noise surrounding the player’s future.
For City, Gibbs-White represents a potential homegrown successor to De Bruyne — a creative force with Premier League experience and room to grow under Guardiola’s guidance. The question now is whether Etihad officials are willing to match Forest’s valuation — and how the player himself views the next step in his career. Or perhaps it's another case of Scott Sinclair Syndrome.
