A change in transfer strategy saw Manchester City move on from Morgan Gibbs-White | OneFootball

Heading into the summer transfer window it appeared to be a formality that Morgan Gibbs-White would sign for Manchester City. The England international was seemingly a key target for City in a bid to improve their midfield. But it wasn’t to be. Instead, Manchester City signed Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders. Morgan Gibbs-White is now on the verge of completing a £60 million move to Tottenham as reported by Fabrizio Romano.

The fact that Gibbs-White is close to joining Tottenham has seen some sections of Manchester City’s fans wonder why City didn’t complete a move for the England international. Fabrizio Romano has revealed the reason on his YouTube channel. It is reportedly as simple as Manchester City changing strategy in the transfer market this summer. Given that City signed Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, and Tijjani Reijnders, Manchester City’s summer transfer strategy appears to be sound.

Manchester City didn’t want to spend big on Morgan Gibbs-White Fabrizio Romano reports.

Fabrizio Romano has reported on his exclusive YouTube channel as to why Manchester City didn’t proceed with a move for Morgan Gibbs-White. Romano explained that City didn’t want to spend big on a creative midfielder. Instead, they signed Rayan Cherki instead of Gibbs-White. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Morgan Gibbs-White was on the list of Manchester City during the beginning of the summer transfer window, but then they decided to go for a different strategy. Instead of spending big in that position, they wanted to spend the money on several positions, so they signed Rayan Cherki for the creative attacking midfielder, and now Morgan Gibbs-White is going to Tottenham Hotspur.”

The logic behind City signing Cherki instead of Gibbs-White appears to be sound.

There is no doubt that Morgan Gibbs-White could have proven to be a quality addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad. He is Premier League proven and had an outstanding 24/25 season for Nottingham Forest. The England international looks ready to take the next step as a player and that step will now come at Tottenham Hotspur. Having said that, Manchester City have landed a quality player in Rayan Cherki rather than signing Gibbs-White.

In signing Rayan Cherki, City have landed one of the top creative players in Europe. Last season saw Cherki start to fulfil his undoubted potential with Lyon. He joins Pep Guardiola’s squad as a player ready to make his mark at the highest level. Cherki will now get that chance. There is also a big discrepancy in the transfer fees required to sign Rayan Cherki and Morgan Gibbs-White. Gibbs-White is set to sign for Tottenham for £60 million. Cherki signed for City for only £30 million as reported by the BBC. By saving £30 million it allowed City to also complete moves for Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders.

Manchester City simply moved on from signing Morgan Gibbs-White. Their change in strategy saw them sign Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Morgan Gibbs-White and Marcus Bettinelli instead. That was good business by Hugo Viana and company as they made multiple moves to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s squad rather than spending big money on one player.