Forest, similarly, have a long standing interest in the player, which could be ramped up were Gibbs-White to move on.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be looking to significantly bolster his squad in the event Forest secure Champions League qualification.

McAtee is waiting to discover if he will be clear to play for England at this summer’s European Under-21 Championships given the tournament clashes with City’s involvement in the Fifa Club World Cup in the US.

City lavished £180 million on four new signings in January but are expected to spend heavily again in the summer. In addition to De Bruyne, Kyle Walker – who joined AC Milan on loan in January – is expected to depart. City have triggered the one-year extension in Ilkay Gundogan’s contract but there are doubts over the futures of a number of other ageing players.