£50m star told to snub Tottenham Hotspur in favour of Newcastle United move

Gibbs-White’s name has regularly featured during recruitment meetings on Tyneside following two standout campaigns at Nottingham Forest. Since arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal worth £42million, the 24-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided 18 assists, helping him collect back-to-back Player of the Season awards. But the Magpies aren’t alone in their admiration for Gibbs-White. Tottenham are one of several Premier League teams also linked but according to Waddle – who played for both clubs – the player is better suited to Eddie Howe’s side. The 63-year-old also believes he wouldn’t get in Spurs’ team ahead of James Maddison.

“I’ve watched Morgan Gibbs-White quite a lot over the last few years, and I like what I’ve seen of him. Nottingham Forest paid a lot of money to take him from Wolves after he wasn’t really playing, but the potential has always been there,” Waddle told Genting Casino.

“When he was on loan at Sheffield United, I spoke to a couple of guys at the club who only had positive things to say about him. They said he was a very good pro and was very confident, which is something you don’t always get from younger players.

“The potential is definitely there. I would love to see what he could do playing for a top six or seven club, no disrespect to Nottingham Forest. If you put Gibbs-White into a team with better players, then he’s only going to improve. At times, he’s carried the burden of a poor Forest team, and that can take its toll.

“If he had to choose between Newcastle United and Tottenham, then I think Newcastle would be a better fit for him. He primarily plays in that number ten role or supporting the strikers, and I think he would compliment Newcastle’s midfield of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

“With Maddison at Tottenham, I can’t see him playing in the role that he would want. Do Tottenham see Gibbs-White as more of a squad player or someone that can play in a number of positions? I can’t see him sitting on the bench at his next club, and there’s a danger that would happen if he joined Spurs. For me, he wouldn’t get into the team over James Maddison.”

Forest reportedly value Gibbs-White at around £50m. It’s understood United are willing to go big on signing a right forward, a position Gibbs-White is capable playing despite his preference to play in the middle.