Newcastle United have reportedly identified Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White as a replacement for Miguel Almiron should he leave the club this month.
The Paraguay international is the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, and it has been claimed that he is the most likely player to leave Newcastle United this month. That is in comparison to Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson, who have also been linked with moves away.
However, it is unclear if Almiron is keen on a move to Saudi Arabia, while any deal will not be cheap with the Magpies looking for around £30million.
Selling the 29-year-old winger would allow Newcastle to reinvest, and one player they have their eyes on is Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. He is a player who has received praise from Toon legend Alan Shearer in the past, and is someone who would be a welcome arrival at St James’ Park.
However, any transfer will be very expensive. That is the view of Nottingham Forest News journalist Lee Clarke, who has spoke to Geordie Boot Boys about Morgan Gibbs-White potentially signing for Newcastle.
Newcastle will have to pay ‘an awful lot’ to sign Morgan Gibbs-White
“Whilst we’re a Premier League club, it will cost an awful lot of money,” he said.
“We’ve just sold [Brennan] Johnson for £50million and Gibbs-White is a better, more rounded footballer with a much higher ceiling. Given we paid a fee that could rise to £42million for him, any club that fancies him had better dig deep.”
And with Gibbs-White likely to command a huge fee, Forest expert Clarke is not worried about interest from Newcastle should Almiron depart St James’ Park.
“I’m unsurprised but not concerned [about Newcastle’s interest]. When a club like ours has players that do well, it’s only natural that bigger clubs will watch them closely.
“Newcastle are going to be a club competing in Europe for many years to come so of course he would be tempted. However, I just don’t think it’s a deal that I can see happening at this stage. Tottenham have also scouted him and obviously Johnson is there who he linked up with so well with at Forest.”
Morgan Gibbs-White might not be a direct replacement for Miguel Almiron
It has been claimed that Newcastle could target the 23-year-old as a replacement if Almiron leaves the club this month. His departure would leave a gaping hole on the right of Newcastle’s attack, with Gibbs-White seemingly earmarked to play alongside Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak at St James’ Park.
However, Clarke has hinted that MGW might not actually be a direct replacement for Almiron.
“He has to play as a number 10,” he said.
“Newcastle fans saw last month what he’s capable of when he has that license and Steve Cooper’s biggest regret must be sticking him out on the wing for a lot of this season.”
If Gibbs-White does arrive, it will be interesting to see if Howe puts him on the right wing or changes his shape and deploys him as an attacking midfielder.
For now, all will depend on Almiron. If he does not leave in the coming days then there is absolutely no chance of Gibbs-White heading to Tyneside.
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