Arsenal Target Morgan Gibbs-White as Backup Option to Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers in Summer Transfer Window

Newly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal are drawing up plans for the defence of their title, with Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White reportedly among the club’s top transfer targets ahead of the 2026/27 season. According to reports, manager Mikel Arteta is personally spearheading the recruitment drive as the Gunners look to strengthen their attacking department.

Arteta’s primary target is understood to be Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, but Gibbs-White has been identified as a strong fallback option should that pursuit prove unsuccessful. Both players have been earmarked for their versatility and consistent form throughout the recently concluded campaign, with Arsenal reportedly viewing either signing as a statement of intent heading into next season.

Gibbs-White’s case for a high-profile move is well supported by his numbers from the 2025/26 campaign. The Forest captain contributed 18 goals across all competitions and was instrumental in steering his club to the semi-finals of the Europa League — a run that was ended by Rogers’ Aston Villa, adding a layer of irony to Arsenal’s simultaneous interest in both players. In the Premier League alone, Gibbs-White netted 15 times, making him the second-highest English scorer in the division behind Ollie Watkins.

Despite the reported interest from Arsenal, any potential deal faces considerable obstacles. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has made clear his intention to keep his squad’s key figures intact, and that stance is reflected in the fact that Gibbs-White was recently tied down to a long-term contract at the City Ground running until 2028. Prising him away from the East Midlands club will likely require a substantial financial commitment.

Arsenal are not operating in a clear market either. Paris Saint-Germain, who defeated the Gunners in the Champions League final, are also reportedly monitoring Morgan Rogers, meaning competition for Arsenal’s primary target could intensify significantly in the coming weeks. The convergence of interest from elite European clubs underlines the premium being placed on both players following their standout domestic seasons.

For Gibbs-White personally, a move to a club of Arsenal’s stature could carry significant implications beyond club football. The 24-year-old has struggled to establish himself as a regular fixture in the England national team setup, and a transfer to a Champions League-competing side could strengthen his case for more consistent international involvement in the years ahead.

Arsenal secured their first English top-flight title in 22 years during the 2025/26 season, ending a drought that stretched back to the 2003/04 Invincibles campaign under Arsène Wenger. The club’s ambition to build on that success is evident in the calibre of players now being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. Whether Gibbs-White or Rogers ultimately arrives will likely depend on the progression of negotiations in the coming transfer window.