Morgan Gibbs-White has been a player hugely linked with Tottenham Hotspur throughout this summer window, with Thomas Frank desperately wanting to land the Nottingham Forest star.
The 25-year-old, who registered 15 combined goals and assists in the Premier League last season, looked set to move to North London at one stage - but a deal fell through at the 11th hour.
Despite triggering the £60m release clause in his deal at the City Ground, it quickly emerged that the Reds were unhappy with the move, claiming the Lilywhites had made an illegal approach for his services.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis threatened legal action against Daniel Levy, which saw a deal evaporate, leading to the player signing a new three-year deal in the East Midlands.
Undoubtedly, missing out on the Englishman’s signature will be a bitter blow to the boss and the fans, but other targets have since been drawn up in an attempt to improve the current issue.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new talent this summer
Jack Grealish is a player who has been on Spurs’ radar over recent days, with talks even being held with Manchester City to land the 29-year-old on a temporary basis.
However, they could be set to miss out on the former Aston Villa star, with Everton seemingly taking the lead in the race for his signature before the September 1st deadline.
They haven’t had to look far for other targets, turning their attention towards Grealish’s teammate James McAtee, according to TBR Football’s latest update.
They claim that the Lilywhites have already held talks with Pep Guardiola’s side over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s said to be valued at £40m this summer.
However, it also states they aren’t alone in their hunt for the attacking midfielder, with Nottingham Forest also keen on adding the youngster to their ranks in the coming weeks.
Why Spurs’ latest target would be their answer to Gibbs-White
Current boss Frank has previously stated his admiration for Gibbs-White, which could make missing out on his signature a disappointment ahead of the new season.
However, it should be taken as a positive, with the hierarchy evidently wanting to back the new manager in his quest for success during his first year in charge.
Such funds could easily go towards other additions, desperately needing reinforcements in such an area after James Maddison suffered an ACL injury in the pre-season clash against Newcastle United.
It’s vital that the club get the right option to help push Frank’s side towards an upwards trajectory, needing to evaluate all the players currently on their radar.
However, McAtee should be a star at the top of the list, with the youngster already highlighting the talent he possesses despite his limited action and his tender age.
When comparing his stats to those of Gibbs-White, he’s managed to match or better him in numerous key areas from the 2024/25 campaign, potentially being the Lilywhites’ own version of the Forest talisman.
McAtee, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by boss Guardiola, posted a higher shot on target accuracy rate, along with a better goal and assist rate per 90, arguably being a more effective option in front of goal.
He also achieved a better pass completion rate, whilst making more carries into the final third, which could make him a bigger threat to the opposition with the ball at his feet - bolstering the quality Frank has at his disposal in attacking areas.
The City star’s dominance is further reflected in his higher tally of crosses completed per 90, and average touches in the opposition box - able to provide the goods for others, whilst getting on the end of players who set him up in front of goal.
£40m may appear to be a hefty sum for a player with just 15 league appearances last season, but he’s already showcased he’s better than Gibbs-White in various key areas.
If he can continue on the current track he’s on, he will develop into a much bigger star than the Forest number ten, with missing out on his signature potentially a blessing in disguise.