Nottingham Forest currently sit 10th in the Premier League, with two wins, three draws, and only one loss from their first six matches. Despite their solid start, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side struggles in possession, averaging 40.2%—the third worst in the league. They’ve also found scoring difficult, netting just six goals, the fifth fewest in the division.
Chris Wood has scored three of those six goals, with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Ramon Sosa contributing one each. While Forest boasts exciting attacking talent like Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, and Anthony Elanga, they’ve still struggled offensively. However, back in 2022, they nearly signed a midfielder who could have bolstered their attack.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s Impact at Forest
Forest signed Gibbs-White for around £25 million in 2022, with an additional £17.5 million in potential add-ons. Since joining, the 24-year-old has made 85 appearances, scored 12 goals, and provided 18 assists across 7,113 minutes.
Gibbs-White has started this season strong, scoring once in five games and creating several chances for teammates, though many haven’t been converted.
He also earned his first England cap, coming off the bench in a Nations League match against Ireland. Yet, during the same 2022 transfer window, Forest had their eyes on another midfielder, which could have changed the course of Gibbs-White’s development.
Forest’s Interest in Ruslan Malinovskyi
In the summer of 2022, both Nottingham Forest and West Ham showed interest in Ruslan Malinovskyi. The 66-cap international, described as an “animal” by Fernando Evangelio, was then playing for Atalanta, where he racked up 143 appearances, scoring 30 goals and providing 28 assists.
While Malinovskyi was a tempting option, it’s unlikely he would have been a better long-term investment than Gibbs-White. Statistically, Malinovskyi had a stronger 2022/23 season in areas like progressive carries, shots, and defensive contributions, but Gibbs-White’s versatility—playing as an attacking midfielder, winger, and even center-forward—likely impacted his numbers.
The Right Decision
Ultimately, Forest made the right choice. Gibbs-White, still only 24, continues to grow in value and influence, now worth £33.5 million—his highest valuation yet.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Malinovskyi is valued at just £6.7 million, proving that Forest’s decision to invest in a younger player with a higher ceiling was a smart move in the long run.