Report: Arsenal were seriously alarmed when 22-year-old went and signed for Nottingham Forest this summer

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Arsenal were seriously alarmed by Morgan Gibbs-White joining Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window.

The Athletic report that Arsenal had an interest in the 22-year-old’s move from Wolves to Forest because they wanted another Molineux player.

The Gunners were interested in Pedro Neto, and saw a potential fee of £42.5 million for Gibbs-White as concerning because it could push the Portuguese winger’s price up.

On top of that, perhaps it strengthened Wolves’ resolve over Neto, meaning they had no real financial imperative to sell.

Arsenal alarmed by Gibbs-White fee

There are always deals every summer which are highlighted in the mainstream as an idea of the way the transfer market has gone crazy.

But the Athletic report says that there is no realistic chance that the Gibbs-White fee will actually get as high as £42.5 million.

They say it was a guaranteed £25 million, and there were a huge amount of add-ons included in the transfer fee which took Gibbs-White to the City Ground.

Arsenal tried to get a winger to offer cover and competition for Bukayo Saka, but did not get Neto or Raphinha over the line this summer.

They need to be careful about burning out Saka, but there are other attacking options available to Mikel Arteta which could give the England international a rest when he needs it.

Meanwhile, Forest are hoping they have done enough to put together a squad which can stay up, as they look to recover from a 6-0 loss to Manchester City in midweek.