The Morgan Gibbs-White 'statement' Nottingham Forest must make before Premier League rivals do
Morgan Gibbs-White has returned to Nottingham Forest “a happy boy” after making his England debut.
With that in mind, surely it is time for the Reds to give the attacker something else to smile about. After all, a new contract would go down a treat - no doubt both with the man himself and with Forest fans.
The club are said to have agreeing fresh terms with Gibbs-White on their agenda this season. His deal still has three years left to run, but rewarding his progress with improved terms would be a real sign of intent.
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Coming through the summer transfer window with all of their prized assets still on the books was a big statement by the Reds. In addition to the signings made, it shows they mean business.
Gibbs-White was the subject of some transfer speculation during the summer but Forest are well aware just how important he is. He is their main man.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo believes the Three Lions call-up will have given the 24-year-old an additional boost. If anything, the experience can help the Reds’ No.10 improve even further.
“It helps. But it doesn’t change much because Morgan is always 100 percent focused and ambitious,” Nuno said of Gibbs-White’s senior international bow when he faced the media ahead of Saturday’s trip to take on Liverpool.
“But it helps. He is happy and enjoying his football so we want that to continue. I see a happy boy - that’s important.
“We, as a club, are very proud, not only for him, but all the players we have seen on international duty. It reflects the hard work they have been doing and their national teams recognising they can contribute for their countries. We are delighted for them.
“Morgan has played at all the age stages of the national team. It (a senior call-up) was a matter of time because of his talent, his quality and his ambition to play for England.
“He is delighted. It was always one of his goals. He achieved it and hopefully he can repeat it.”
If he is going to repeat the achievement, Gibbs-White will know he needs to keep performing in the Garibaldi. The competition for places in the England set-up is fierce, particularly in his position.
But he looked right at home when he came off the bench against the Republic of Ireland last weekend. He showed what he is about during his 15 minutes or so on the pitch - and it would be understandable if he was left a bit disappointed at not earning another cap against Finland at Wembley in midweek.
Forest were already aware what a talent he is. It would be no surprise if others start catching on, though - particularly if further call-ups follow.
A new contract would help with warding off any potential suitors. And it would be fully deserved for the impact Gibbs-White has made in his two years at the club.
According to the Daily Mail, the Reds want to get him tied down and put him “to the top” of their pay scale. It would be just reward for the England international, who has no doubt returned Trentside feeling on top of the world after achieving one of his big dreams.