Manchester City have already had a busy summer transfer window, and it has been needed.
The 2024/25 season was not at all what anyone might have expected from the Citizens; certainly Phil McNulty, BBC Sport’s chief football writer, thought they’d win the Premier League, and explained he’s “not sure this will be” the time to bet against them.
Yet, after 12 months on, we know City came third and went trophyless. It was a tough season for their biggest stars, namely Phil Foden and Erling Haaland, and the busy summer of transfers was certainly needed to help put them back on their perch.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side seem to be far from done in the transfer window, if recent reports are to be believed.
Man City's latest transfer target
Three major signings have already switched to the Etihad Stadium this summer. City signed AC Milan’s Tijani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki from Lyon and Rayan Ait-Nouri from fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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Now, with the window still wide open, Guardiola’s side could once again buy from within the Premier League.
According to a report from Football Insider last week, the East Mancunian side had ‘been working behind the scenes on a deal’ to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest.
Personal terms are not considered a significant issue with this transfer. In fact, the England international is thought to have an agreement in place with City already. All that is missing is the agreement between the two clubs.
That said, it’s more likely that the player signs for Tottenham Hotspur instead. Subject of a fierce saga over the weekend, Spurs activated Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause last week, but Nottingham Forest are now considering legal action, suggesting that the Lilywhites actually made an illegal approach for the player.
As a result, that has put his move to north London in serious jeopardy, something that could allow City to strike.
Why Gibbs-White would be a good signing for Man City
There is no doubt that City need reinforcements this summer, and they have certainly made good strides so far with the three main incomings. However, adding Gibbs-White to that, after such an impressive campaign last term, would be another excellent addition.
In a superb season for Forest, their number 10 was a standout player. The 25-year-old played 34 Premier League games in 2024/25, contributing an impressive seven goals and ten assists as his side qualified for the Conference League.
One thing that will surely stand out to Guardiola is Gibbs-White’s ability to create and score in big games.
Last season, he bagged a goal and created one away to Manchester United, assisted a goal at home to Spurs and at home to City themselves, with a sensational long-range pass to pick out Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The addition of the Forest star could be bad news for Foden, who did struggle last season. Coming off the back of a PFA player of the year-winning campaign, the England international certainly underwhelmed.
He played 45 games across all competitions, scoring jus ten goals and registering six assists, less than what Gibbs-White managed in the Premier League alone.
In the recent Club World Cup, Foden seemed more like his old self, bagging three times and providing one goal in four games.
It is not just the goal and assist numbers that might be a concern for Foden. Both players excel in the same position, a number 10 behind the striker.
Whilst the City academy graduate played on the right a lot last term, he once said himself that “I prefer it in the middle”. His England teammate played as an attacking midfielder 32 times last season, too.
There is also not much difference between the pair’s key stats, via FBref. For example, last season the Forest number 10 averaged 5.27 progressive passes and 4.08 ball recoveries per 90 minutes. Comparatively, Foden notched up an average of 5.23 progressive passes and 3.1 ball recoveries each game.
Goals and assists
0.48
0.46
Key passes
1.64
2.18
Progressive passes
5.27
5.23
Goal-creating actions
0.61
0.46
Take-ons completed
1.00
0.71
Ball recoveries
4.08
3.1
Signing Gibbs-White would be a fantastic addition for City. He is an excellent creative midfielder who works hard off the ball too, and is a “menace” going forward, according to football analyst Antonio Mango.
Whilst it could spell bad news for Foden, there is no doubt that the Forest star would be a strong signing and help City climb the table again this season.
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