Earlier this month, Everton registered interest in Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. Kevin Thelwell and Frank Lampard were keen to sign the young Englishman and the Toffees also launched an offer to sign him. Wolves rejected Everton’s £25 million offer after which the Toffees have not upped the ante.
Thelwell knows Gibbs-White well and has a good relationship with him. The 22 year old spent the last season on loan at Championship club Sheffield United, playing 35 games in the Championship. Gibbs-White ended up with 20 goal contributions (11 goals and nine assists) ending as club’s second highest goal getter and the assist leader.
Prior to his loan spell, the Englishman was a rotational player, still polishing his skills. Now, he has returned as a player who has honed his skills and gained some level of maturity. His excellent progress during the loan has prompted clubs like Everton and Crystal Palace to show interest in the Englishman.
Gibbs-White is seen as a bright player who has the capability of putting in match winning performances. The attacking midfielder thrives when playing behind the striker but can also operate on the right flank and in central midfield.
Everton target Morgan Gibbs-White prefers to stay
Everton now may have received a blow in the chase of the 22 year old. According to the Guardian, Gibbs-White would prefer to stay at Wolves and fight for a place in Bruno Lage’s side. Three Premier League sides Everton, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace continue to hold interest in the player but now a deal could be unlikely if the player is adamant about staying at the club.
The Molineux tenants will ask for over £25 million for Gibbs-White. If a deal cannot be struck, Everton will be back to the drawing board. The Toffees have had several failed pursuits in this summer transfer window. Oleksandr Zinchenko was a player that Everton were interested in but the player ended up joining Arsenal. Armando Broja is also a player admired by the Everton hierarchy but they haven’t been able to take as concrete steps as other interested sides.
The start of the Premier League is less than a fortnight away and the squad is far from complete. Everton have not yet managed to sign a replacement for Richarlison, nor have they been able to add any midfielder to the squad. The Toffees need to act fast or they run the risk of competing in the league without a competent squad.
Will Morgan Gibbs-White leave Wolves?