‘They need’ - Newcastle United told why they must sign £60m Player of the Season contender

Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster has hailed Morgan Gibbs-White as a “leader” amid rumoured links to Newcastle United.

Reports in January suggested the Magpies were keeping tabs on the 24-year-old. Football fans across the country were dumbfounded when Nottingham Forest stumped up £42.5million to sign a player with little Premier League experience almost two years ago.

Gibbs-White had starred in the Championship on loan at Sheffield United, where his 13 goals and 10 assists helped the Blades reach the play-offs. This also inspired Forest to stump up a hefty fee for a relatively unproven midfielder.

However, Gibbs-White has since become the Tricky Trees’ star man in an otherwise underperforming side. The former England under-21 international has 13 goal contributions in 2023-24 as Forest battle to stay in the Premier League.

Gibbs-White starred in their shock Boxing Day win against Newcastle - now he is linked with a permanent return to St James’ Park. The Athletic claim Eddie Howe is preparing a summer move for the midfielder, who has been tipped as a potential Premier League Young Player of the Year winner.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, ex-goalie Foster highlighted what attributes Toon fans can expect from Gibbs-White should he sign at the end of the season. He said: “He deserves to be in for the nominations because he’s had a fantastic season following on from last year.

“I remember him signing for Nottingham Forest from Wolves and I remember thinking that’s a lot of money for potential, that’s all it is. I think Wolves will be kicking themselves a little bit because what he’s turned into has far surpassed probably what they thought and what a lot of people thought. He’s proved the doubters wrong.

“He really is that leader. For a 24-year-old, he really is that leader already. He’s making tackles, getting forwards, going backwards, getting balls into the box.

“I love it when he does that tackle and gets up and gets into the crowd. And for a team like Forest, you need that 12th man. He’s going to be key for Forest. They need to keep him fit between now and the end of the season.”