Nottingham Forest have been battling with the speculation surrounding Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential move to Tottenham, with the latest report providing significant clarity.
In what has been an extensive saga, Tottenham matched Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause, but Evangelos Marinakis was quick to dispute the North London club’s approach.
The dispute centred around how Tottenham came to know of the release clause, with Forest’s decision to halt communications with Tottenham a clear sign of the severity of Marinakis’ claims.
Amid the speculation, Gibbs-White joined up with the Forest squad in Portugal to continue pre-season training. It looked as if the Tottenham links were set to drag on, but the latest update has ended all the speculation in remarkable style.
Morgan Gibbs-White signs new Nottingham Forest contract
As the full-time whistle drew closer in Forest’s 3-1 pre-season defeat to Fulham, Gibbs-White was looking sharp after being introduced at half time.
The display showed glimpses of the Englishman back at his best, perhaps due to the major update on his future that was breaking while the game was being played.
Reported by Ornstein in The Athletic, Forest were in talks with their midfield talisman over a new contract at the club, in an attempt to put an end to the speculation surrounding his future at the club.
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Then, in a X post that will go down in Forest history, the club confirmed that Gibbs-White had indeed signed a “record deal” at the club, committing his future to the City Ground until 2028.
Marinakis was present to pose with his prized asset on the pitch at full-time in the Fulham game, gleaming with joy after pulling off the remarkable piece of business that will be a huge relief to everyone associated with the club.
A new Morgan Gibbs-White contract would be a huge relief
After Anthony Elanga’s transfer to Newcastle United, Forest were at risk of losing two of their most influential players in the same window, which would’ve been a shocking way to prepare for the return to European football.
Therefore, keeping hold of Gibbs-White will be a huge relief to Edu and the Forest recruitment staff, who can now funnel all of their efforts into finding a replacement for Elanga.
Espírito Santo will also be relieved as losing Gibbs-White would’ve meant a significant change to his tactical system, losing the crucial link between attack and midfield that was a successful method of attack last campaign.
Gibbs-White’s commitment to the club will have Reds fans ecstatic, boosting the confidence heading into the 25/26 season.