Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed Morgan Gibbs-White will remain at the club, after resting key starters in Saturday's 2-0 pre-season win against French side Brest.
Goals from striker Chris Wood from the penalty spot and left-back Luca Netz secured the victory in the first half at the City Ground. Most of Forest's established key players instead featured in a behind-closed-doors training match against Championship team Coventry City on Saturday, which Forest also won 2-0.
The separation of the squad gave a clear indication of Glasner's intended starting XI for Forest's Premier League opening fixture against Leeds United next Saturday. Glasner looks set to deploy a 3-4-2-1 tactical system featuring Matz Sels in goal behind a back three of Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, and Ousmane Diomande.
The midfield balance is expected to feature Ola Aina, Xaver Schlager, Ibrahim Sangare, and Neco Williams, with Dan Ndoye and Gibbs-White supporting Brazilian forward Igor Jesus. Glasner remains eager to sign another forward and potentially a right wing-back, while actively working to trim surplus squad members before the transfer window closes.
Glasner rules out Gibbs-White departure
Forest sold midfielder Elliot Anderson to Premier League champions Manchester City earlier this summer. Following that departure, Glasner stressed that the club ownership has committed to keeping all remaining starters despite ongoing interest from rival clubs before the September 3 transfer deadline.
Gibbs-White, 26, is the highest-paid player in Forest's history and changed his agent earlier this summer. Chelsea showed interest in the attacking midfielder earlier in the window, though the Blues are not competing in European football this season. A potential move for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City could trigger renewed interest, but Glasner dismissed any prospect of a sale.
Asked about Gibbs-White's future, Glasner stated: "It was clear after selling Elliot Anderson that none of our starters will leave the club. That's a commitment from the ownership and no player has asked to leave the club."
Glasner added that a transfer was never on the agenda for the England international, who harbors ambitions of playing in the UEFA Champions League. "It was never a topic," Glasner said. "We didn't have to talk about it, it was a non-verbal agreement. We looked each other in the eye, because we want to be successful. If we want to strengthen the squad it makes no sense to sell starters."
Wing-backs central to tactical plan
The friendly victory over Ligue 1 outfit Brest demonstrated how fundamental wing-backs will be to Forest's attacking approach under the Austrian coach. Youngsters Eric da Silva Moreira and Luca Netz were repeatedly available for passes in the opposition half throughout the match.
Netz enjoyed a particularly influential performance, winning the penalty for Wood's opener before starting and finishing a refined team move involving Callum Hudson-Odoi and Nico Dominguez. Operating as one of two central attacking midfielders, Hudson-Odoi drifted wide to open space for Netz to make an underlapping run inside the penalty area.
Wales international Neco Williams is expected to thrive in that left wing-back system as the established first choice. On the right flank, Ola Aina remains the current starter after three outstanding seasons in Nottinghamshire, though Glasner continues to seek a more dynamic and durable option.
Forest seek squad reductions before deadline
While expressing satisfaction with his central midfield options, Glasner emphasized the necessity of reducing the size of Nottingham Forest's first-team squad. Playing a second-string lineup against Brest served to showcase several players currently available on the transfer market.
Players including Dilane Bakwa, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Eric da Silva Moreira, and Morato could be moved on before the transfer window shuts, while defender Zach Abbott is expected to leave on loan to an EFL club.
"It makes no sense to go into the season with 26 outfield players, especially when we do not have European football," Glasner said. The manager also confirmed that club captain Ryan Yates is likely to miss the opening league match against Leeds United due to a minor issue.
Attacking changes and transfer pipeline
Experienced striker Chris Wood returned from a thigh injury to score from the penalty spot against Brest, but his role for the upcoming campaign remains uncertain. The New Zealand international turns 35 in December and enters the final year of his contract.
Igor Jesus appears to be Glasner's preferred choice to lead the line against Leeds United, despite his ability to operate in deeper attacking roles. With fellow forward Taiwo Awoniyi poised to complete a transfer to Coventry City, Forest are pursuing additional options up front, maintaining a long-standing interest in Chelsea striker Liam Delap.
Addressing further arrivals, Glasner revealed: "We have two or three additions in the pipeline, let's say it like this. It's always about the two clubs, the player and the agent. As soon as these four parties find an agreement we will have another player."
Glasner praised the arrival of summer signings Xaver Schlager and Ousmane Diomande, noting their European experience. "I'm very pleased so far," Glasner said. "We brought two top players in with Xaver Schlager and Ousmane Diomande. I think everybody can see which impact Schlager can have in our game."
He noted that Ivory Coast international defender Diomande requires time to reach match fitness following an extended break after the FIFA World Cup. "Having two players from top leagues, who have both played more than 100 games, played for their country and played Champions League football... that will give us quality and experience," Glasner added. "So far everything we wanted to do we already did."
Shirt sponsor search continues
Off the pitch, Nottingham Forest remain without a front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2025-26 Premier League season. The club's £8 million sponsorship agreement with gambling firm Bally's has ended following the implementation of Premier League regulations prohibiting front-of-shirt betting advertisements.
Forest officials are actively seeking a replacement commercial partner prior to next weekend's season opener, aiming to finalize an agreement as soon as possible.
