Tottenham transfer news: Why the deal for Morgan Gibbs

The release clause is a fee specified in some players' contracts that, when paid by another club, obliges the club holding the player's rights to allow his departure. This was Tottenham Hotspur's strategy to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest. However, the deal was blocked and could end up in court.

Earlier this month, Spurs made a move for the attacking midfielder for a fee of £60m, a sum that supposedly matched the release clause stipulated in his contract with Forest.

However, according to Sky Sports News, Nottingham Forest threatened legal action against Tottenham, claiming that the 25-year-old Englishman was tapped up and that there was a breach of confidentiality regarding the player's contract.

As a result, Gibbs-White remains available to coach Nuno Espirito Santo for pre-season. Forest are open to negotiating for their number 10 during this transfer window, but the lack of interest from other clubs may force a reconciliation with Spurs.

Legal dispute over unauthorised contact and confidentiality breach

Nottingham Forest claim they did not authorise any prior contact between Tottenham and Gibbs-White, which would constitute a direct approach without consent. This move would violate Premier League rules regarding negotiations with contracted players.

In addition, Forest argue that Spurs leaked confidential information about the English midfielder’s release clause. Nottingham Forest’s management believe this strategic detail was improperly disclosed by Tottenham during negotiations, potentially benefiting other clubs.

Since then, Forest have cut off communications with Spurs and notified their legal team that, should Gibbs-White leave under these circumstances, they will take the case to the Premier League and, if necessary, to civil court to protect their rights.

Despite the behind-the-scenes dispute, Forest’s number 10 has remained professional and continues to participate in preparations for the 2025-26 season. However, Gibbs-White has rejected all contract renewal attempts in recent months.

The attacking midfielder’s current contract runs until June 2027. Therefore, Forest know that if they want to profit from the Englishman, now is the time to negotiate, in order to avoid losing him for free at the end of his deal.

No takers for Forest’s £100m valuation

Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Nottingham Forest, had hoped that Manchester City would renew their interest in Gibbs-White, as they did at the start of the transfer window. But the Citizens currently have no plans to sign any more midfielders.

In recent weeks, Pep Guardiola has brought in Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Sverre Nypan to help fill the gap left by Kevin De Bruyne, who moved to Napoli. Before completing those deals, Manchester City had monitored Forest’s number 10, who was valued at £100m.

That asking price was not accepted by the Citizens, who instead spent £89.8m on Cherki, Reijnders and Nypan combined. Shortly after, Tottenham tried to trigger Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause.

So far, no other club has shown concrete interest in the English attacking midfielder. In other words, Nottingham Forest may be forced to resume talks with Spurs, who maintain they have done nothing wrong. If the impasse continues, Gibbs-White may well remain at the City Ground.