Morgan Gibbs-White has become a talismanic figure at Nottingham Forest, often providing the creative spark needed to help his side earn results.
Gibbs-White starred in Forest’s win over Aston Villa, providing the assist for Nikola Milenkovic’s equalising goal whilst being Forest’s brightest attacking spark during their struggles in the first half.
Robbie Mustoe praised Gibbs-White for his role in the Villa win as the Englishman helped his side reach the lofty heights of fourth in the Premier League table.
He is clearly popular with his Forest teammates too, with Chris Wood hailing Gibbs-White against Manchester United after he scored and assisted in Forest’s 3-2 win at Old Trafford.
Gibbs-White’s stock is clearly rising, which has brought forward the inevitable conversation about a contract extension. However, the latest news on the topic may be concerning to the Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis.
Morgan Gibbs-White seeks a ‘significant’ new contract
In a report by the Daily Mail, the cost that the Forest owner may have to pay to keep hold of his star man has been revealed.
The report claims that Gibbs-White has “been in contract talks” with the club, but is looking for a “significant rise on the five-year deal he signed two and a half years ago.”
According to the report, Gibbs-White is currently earning around £60,000 per week at Forest, with any ‘significant’ increase in that number likely to take him towards the £100,000 mark as one of the higher earners in the Forest squad.
Gibbs-White’s form likely warrants such an increase, but the timing for Marinakis may be a concern given that he is currently in talks with one of Forest’s other stars, Chris Wood.
How Gibbs-White’s demands may impact Chris Wood
The report also details that Wood is: “seeking a contract of at least two years that would keep him near the top of Forest’s pay scale.”
Again, it can’t be argued that Wood, like Gibbs-White, doesn’t deserve a new contract but the two coming at once may leave Forest with a dilemma.
Wood has yet to sign a new Forest deal due to his specific desire for a two-year deal, which Forest have yet to agree to. This hesitancy, coupled with the fresh information on Gibbs-White’s demands, may leave Wood struggling to convince the club to offer him the extended term.
Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping that Marinakis and Forest can come to an agreement that suits both of their attacking stars, but if that isn’t possible, Gibbs-White’s age and potential selling potential may give him priority over Wood when it comes to a contract extension.
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