Nottingham Forest have reportedly made Jacob Ramsey their No1 transfer target as Tottenham retain hope of completing a £60million deal for Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest have turned to Ramsey amid a potential legal battle with Spurs, who they claim were never granted permission to speak to Gibbs-White when triggering the release clause in his contract.
Gibbs-White was due to undergo a medical at Spurs last week but Forest have halted the deal, forcing the player to return to pre-season training this week.
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It remains to be seen if Gibbs-White will be granted the move he is determined to complete, but Forest are now exploring the market for a player who plays in his position.
The Telegraph report that Forest’s key summer target is now Aston Villa’s Ramsey, who can play in Gibbs-White’s No10 role and wide on the left.
Forest need attacking reinforcements having sold Anthony Elanga Newcastle for £52million. Ramsey is not considered a direct replacement for the right winger.
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, also of interest to Tottenham, remains a target after a bid of around £20million was rejected earlier in July.
Forest’s interest in Ramsey, the report claims, has been long-standing, but only now is a real attempt to sign the player expected. Villa’s stance on selling the player is unclear.
Gibbs-White’s possible departure to Spurs means Forest would be able to provide Ramsey with more regular minutes in a season leading up to a World Cup, having been name-checked by England manager Thomas Tuchel earlier this year.