What is happening with Manchester City’s pursuit of Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White? | OneFootball

Manchester City’s heavily-reported transfer interest in Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White has died down significantly in recent weeks, but what is going on?

Hugo Viana and fellow recruitment officials have been busy throughout the course of the summer so far, but particularly in the lead up to the now-ongoing FIFA Club World Cup as they welcomed four new faces into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad.

With a clear need for fresh energy in the midfield ranks, much of the attention was placed on those roles, particularly the more advanced roles following the exit of Kevin De Bruyne upon the expiry of his contract.

As Rayan Cherki arrived for that position, there was also investment put into AC Milan and the Netherlands’ Tijjani Reijnders for the No8 role, alongside the arrival of left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

And while many of the club’s supporters will have no complaints about the standard of player brought into the side and in crucial positions, one player has been left wondering how things have moved away from him so fast.

Much of the build-up to the opening of the summer market centred around City leading the chase for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, but after investing twice in the middle of the field, many would presume the England international is no longer of interest.

According to MailSport’s Tom Collomosse, Pep Guardiola spoke directly with Gibbs-White in the Wembley Stadium tunnel after last season’s FA Cup semi-final clash between the two sides, having also shook hands, hugged, and spoken on the field moments earlier.

However, having done so much of the groundwork on a potential move for the England international, City did not make an approach with suggestions that the club baulked at Nottingham Forest’s asking price in excess of £70 million.

It is also claimed that with the FIFA Club World Cup looming at the time, and a clear need for immediate reinforcements, negotiations with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis were ‘unlikely to run smoothly’.

Nevertheless, it is claimed that Gibbs-White would still be open to joining Manchester City this summer as well as working with Pep Guardiola, and it remains to be seen whether he reappears on the club’s radar, or whether such a route has closed for now.

There remains a chance that Manchester City could return to the transfer market following the conclusion of their FIFA Club World Cup campaign next month, with right-sided full-back believed to be an area they want to address.

Long-standing mainstay, Kyle Walker, is no longer in the plans of Guardiola for the upcoming season, and having seen his chances of joining AC Milan on a permanent deal rejected by the Italian club following his loan, the England international is eyeing new opportunities.

Everton and Fenerbahce have made enquiries over the player’s future, although it remains to be seen whether his salary demands align with their own plans, while City go on the hunt for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.

The England Under-21 international is currently present at the European Championships in Slovakia alongside Manchester City’s James McAtee, and until he is back with the Newcastle squad, it is likely that there will be no developments on his future.