Nottingham Forest Transfer Rumours
Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White would be a Garner upgrade
by Jimmy Moorhouse @JimmyMoorhouse share
Nottingham Forest have been heavily linked with signing Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White in recent weeks and the 22-year-old would arguably be an upgrade on James Garner in Steve Cooper's side next season.
Reports have suggested that Forest, along with Everton and Crystal Palace, are interested in the £30m signing Gibbs-White following his impressive performances out on loan at Sheffield United last season.
After the loan signing of Dean Henderson from Manchester United, Forest fans have been consigned to the knowledge that Garner won't be returning to the City Ground again next season, unless the Red Devils can be convinced to let him go permanently, which seems unlikely at this stage.
Premier League rules mean that you can only loan one player from another side and thus Cooper must look for a replacement for Garner in his midfield after the 21-year-old played a huge part in Forest's promotion last season.
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The United academy graduate would make 44 appearances in the Championship, contributing four goals and eight assists, averaging an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.09 for his performances, which were enough to establish him as a fan favourite at the club.
Who would you rather have at Forest?
Gibbs-White
However, while he was undoubtedly superb, Gibbs-White enjoyed arguably a better season with the Blades, and could be a better long-term addition if he joins on a permanent deal.
The Wolves man would contribute 12 goals and 10 assists for Paul Heckingbottom's side in the Championship, while also impressing in the playoff semi-final game at the City Ground, with WhoScored awarding him a 7.14 average rating for his performances.
While Garner is arguably better at the defensive side of the game, Gibbs-White can definitely offer more going forwards and also has far more experience in the top-flight, having made 46 appearances in the Premier League with Wolves.
Therefore, now that a move for Garner is off the table, Cooper should definitely push to bring the "outstanding" Gibbs-White to Nottingham this summer.
AND in other news: Cooper plotting NFFC bid for £15.3m-rated "incredible talent", he can replace Garner