A side effect of Nottingham Forest’s remarkable season is that rival clubs could circle for their top stars, with Newcastle set to test Evangelos Marinakis’ resolve in the summer.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are currently third in the Premier League table, with the stars of the Forest squad capturing the attention of clubs both in England and abroad.
Despite Murillo signing a new Forest contract, the Brazilian remains at the top of the transfer wishlist for the majority of Europe’s elite sides this season. Marinakis will demand a world-record fee for Murillo which may stave off interest but bids will inevitably come for the centre back.
Another of Forest’s top talents who has been linked away from the club is Elliot Anderson, despite only arriving at the City Ground in the summer.
Liverpool have scouted Anderson but any deal for the Englishman seems unlikely given his short time at the club but someone who may be more difficult to retain is Anthony Elanga, who has long-term admirers in the Premier League.
Sunday’s opponents Newcastle have desperately tried to sign Elanga previously, but a new report has suggested that the North East club may be setting their sites on another Forest talisman.
Newcastle United set their sites on Morgan Gibbs-White
The links between Forest and Newcastle are evergrowing, with Anderson, Chris Wood and Matz Sels all plying their trade at St James’ Park before their time under Espirito Santo.
However, one that might travel the other direction is Morgan Gibbs-White, who reportedly has admirers in Newcastle.
According to the Telegraph, Newcastle are: “planning a bold summer of recruitment, mixing young, up-and-coming stars with more established players with experience of playing in the Premier League.”
Whilst no decisions have been made on exactly who fits this bill, Gibbs-White’s name is listed in the report as one of the potential options, which may surprise Forest fans given Newcastle’s never-ending interest in Elanga.
With five goals and five assists this season, it’s clear how Gibbs-White fits the bill for Eddie Howe’s side, especially given how he’s played over 100 games in the Premier League and looks to be continuously improving.
As Gibbs-White is tipped for an England call-up, it will be hard for Forest fans to see any positive coming from this news but the list of names mentioned by the report is lengthy, including some that suggest Newcastle’s interest in Elanga may be wavering.
Newcastle may have moved on from Anthony Elanga
Alongside Gibbs-White, the report continues to list names of interest to Newcastle, including: “PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko, Bournemouth pair Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen, […] Lille’s Jonathan David, Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling.”
Of the listed names, Bakayoko, Semenyo, Kuhn and Dibling are all wingers, throwing the links between Elanga and Newcastle into question.
Forest have reportedly bid for Bakayoko in the past but as nothing came of the deal, Marinakis will be more than happy to retain the services of Elanga instead, who is developing into a reliable source of goal contributions at the City Ground.
After bagging three assists against Brighton, Stuart Pearce hailed Elanga for his attacking contributions, which are becoming more and more efficient as his time at Forest continues.
There will be an initial panic about Newcastle’s interest in Gibbs-White but with Eddie Howe in more desperate need of a winger, Forest fans should be optimistic that he will remain at the club alongside Elanga.
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