Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur could reportedly go head-to-head for the services of Nottingham Forest attacker Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has been a shining light in a damaging campaign for the Tricky Trees, having a direct hand in nine goals in 33 games in all tournaments.
Gibbs-White has scored four of his own and set up five more in 2023-24, including three strikes and five assists in 28 Premier League games, where he has worn the captain's armband on seven occasions.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo's men are currently on course for a demotion back down to the Championship after a two-year stay in the top division, having been hit with a four-point penalty for breaching financial regulations.
As a result, the Tricky Trees are one point below Luton Town in 18th place in the table with just nine games left to play, and a potential demotion could lead to a mass exodus of players from the City Ground.
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Gibbs-White - who is under contract with Nottingham Forest until 2027 - is one player who could be courted by several high-profile teams this summer, and his sale would help Forest balance the books.
According to the Daily Star, Forest are indeed considering severing ties with the 24-year-old for a substantial fee this summer, and Arsenal are casting a watchful eye over the situation.
The report claims that Mikel Arteta views Gibbs-White as a possible successor to Emile Smith Rowe, whom Arsenal are expected to entertain offers for this summer as he continues to struggle for minutes in North London.
Injuries have derailed Smith Rowe's career since his 10-goal Premier League season in 2021-22, and he has not played for the senior England side since March 2022 on account of his fitness woes and selection struggles.
The 23-year-old Hale End graduate remains a firm favourite among Arsenal fans, but his contract runs out in 2026 with no sign of an extension, and an exit either this summer or in the near future is seen as inevitable.
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Smith Rowe has often been deployed on the left-hand side or in an advanced midfield area for Arsenal, two positions that the versatile Gibbs-White can also cover, as well as a right-wing or centre-forward role.
However, the Gunners are not the only London club in the race for the England Under-21 international, who is also believed to be on the radars of Tottenham and West Ham United ahead of the summer window.
A fee of £50m could be required to prise Gibbs-White away from the City Ground, although Forest would likely see their resolve tested by lowball offers if they drop down to the Championship for 2024-25.
While Forest are embroiled in their relegation dogfight, Arsenal are top of the Premier League table with 10 games left to play, one point above Manchester City and clear of Liverpool on goal difference.
The Gunners head to the Etihad to face the reigning champions next Sunday, where Arteta is reportedly hopeful of welcoming two injured players back to the ranks after international withdrawals.
Ben Knapton
