The Mirror

Morgan Gibbs-White transfer: Tottenham issue remains after Nottingham Forest's response

Tottenham's pursuit of Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has stalled with the player now featuring in pre-season and his club considering legal action despite his release clause being met

Tottenham's pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White has slowed down after Nottingham Forest were left fuming by their approach for the player - who is continuing to play for them during pre-season.

It looked as if the north Londoners were going to get their man after matching the £60million release clause in his contract. Forest were frustrated that the confidential figure in his deal was met by Tottenham and reacted angrily, threatening legal action.

The progress of any potential deal has stalled and Gibbs-White played for Forest in their friendly against Monaco this weekend. He was due to be part of the Forest squad that went to Portugal for a pre-season camp this week, but did not travel at the start of the week for personal reasons, reports the Athletic.

Gibbs-White's team-mate Ola Aina recently said: “At the end of the day, we're all professionals - we've got a job to do and that's what Morgan is doing right now. He's keeping it professional."

Forest maintain they never gave Spurs permission to speak to Gibbs-White, who is thought to be keen on a move to north London. They are considering legal action regarding Tottenham’s interest and want to see whether a confidentiality agreement regarding his release clause has been breached.

Forest have already lost Antony Elanga, who moved to Newcastle for more than £50m, and will be loathed to lose another of their key attacking weapons in Gibbs-White. The club's impressive season was always going to see their top players attract attention from rivals.

The City Ground outfit do appear to be making moves should they lose Gibbs-White with Manchester City star James McAtee identified as a target. Several clubs are keen on the playmaker, who is valued at £35m, with Forest potentially advancing their interest in the days ahead, reports the Telegraph.

Tottenham meanwhile have already spent £55m to sign Mohamed Kudus from West Ham with new manager Thomas Frank wanting more forwards to arrive in the capital.

Spurs have also been linked ex-Fulham star Joao Palhinha. The 30-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder is available this summer, but the Premier League's side preference would be for a loan rather than a permanent move. Mathys Tel's loan move from Bayern Munich has also been made permanent.

Tottenham are in the market for new signings ahead of the 2025-26 season and have now been linked with a midfielder who was the subject of interest from Arsenal recently

Tottenham have become the latest club to be linked with Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha, who is said to have been the subject of interest from Arsenal earlier in the summer.

Spurs are in the market for new additions to Thomas Frank's squad ahead of the new season, where they will return to the Champions League. And Palhinha, the Portugal international who was previously on the books of Fulham, has emerged as a target.

Palhinha, 30, only joined Bayern last summer after seeing a transfer to the German giants collapse in dramatic fashion on deadline day 12 months earlier.

But he is now being touted for a return to the Premier League and Tottenham are seemingly interested in acquiring the defensive midfielder as part of their summer plans.

Spurs are considering a move for Palhinha, who has struggled in Germany and isn't in Vincent Kompany's first-team plans. However, they would prefer a loan move, rather than a permanent one.

It remains to be seen if Tottenham's need for a new No.6 could open the door for talks over a deal for Palhinha, who signed a contract until 2028 with the German giants.

Links to Tottenham come just weeks after it was reported by Bild that Arsenal had considered signing the midfielder - who was a huge hit at Fulham before moving to the Bundesliga - as part of their attempts to revamp their squad.

The Gunners have since signed Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard after Jorginho and Thomas Partey left the club at the end of the season. But it's claimed that talks were held with Bayern over a possible move for Palhinha before the Club World Cup.

Join the debate! Would Palhinha be a good signing for Tottenham? Let us know here

Spurs are also expected to strengthen in other areas ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which kicks off next month.

They remain interested in Morgan Gibbs-White, though it remains to be seen if they will sign the attacking midfielder from Nottingham Forest.

Tottenham are also interested in the Crystal Palace defender, Marc Guehi, though they are likely to face competition from LIverpool for the England star's signature.

Guehi has now entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, meaning that Palace would potentially risk losing him for free next summer should they resist any significant offers for the player's services in the coming weeks.

Liverpool are on the search for a new centre-back and have been targeting a young defender to replace Jarrell Quansah, who has joined Bayer Leverkusen, but are keen on England centre-back Marc Guehi if the price is right - but now Spurs are making their move

Liverpool will face competition from Tottenham if they decide to pursue a move for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. The Reds are expected to keep spending as Hugo Ekitike jets in for a medical on Tuesday to complete a £79m move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

And a defender could be next on the list with Palace defender Guehi admired at Anfield. But Spurs have now registered their interest and can also offer the England international Champions League football this season after their Europa League success.

Guehi, 25, has just one year left on his contract at Palace but it is not known if the defender wants to move on. Spurs tried to sign him in January but a late £70m bid was rejected by the Eagles.

Liverpool are monitoring the situation after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35m this summer. But they'll only move for Guehi if the price is right and that's less than the £50m it's been suggested the Eagles would take this summer for their captain.

Spurs might be more inclined to hit the £50m mark having struggled so much defensively last season when Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven struggled with injuries.

Liverpool are close to spending £300m with Ekitike coming in and another forward is also on the list if Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz both leave. They do not want to sell Diaz despite Bayern Munich preparing a second bid for the Colombia winger but are more open to do a deal for Nunez.

Ekitike, 23, is landing in Merseyside today the Reds will pay £69m initially with a further £10m due in add ons, with the added fees down to club and player performance across the length of his contract.

Liverpool are looking to agree a six-year contract with the player to keep him at Anfield until 2031. Those details are yet to be finalised but they will be once the France U21 international arrives on Merseyside.

Liverpool players and staff have headed for the Far East to continue their pre-season preparations with Hong Kong their first stop. But medical staff and sporting director Richard Hughes will remain at the club’s training ground to finalise Ekitike’s move.

The player will fly to Asia once the deal is complete to meet up with his new team-mates.

Newcastle pulled out of the race for Ekitike last week once the player informed them he had a preference to move to Liverpool. The Magpies had a £70m offer rejected but they were short on the add-ons which Frankfurt pushed for.

Tottenham get transfer boost as Nottingham Forest pick Morgan Gibbs-White replacement

Tottenham's move for Morgan Gibbs-White is currently on hold after Nottingham Forest accused them of making an "illegal approach", but they have now received a boost

Nottingham Forest are eyeing a move for Manchester City's James McAtee, with the 22-year-old a potential replacement for Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest are keen to strengthen their attack this summer, with Nuno Espirito Santo's side set to play in Europe for the first time in 29 years.

Forest finished seventh in the Premier League last season and qualified for the Europa League after FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were demoted to the Conference League due to UEFA's rules on multi-club ownership.

However, they have made just two first-team signings so far this summer, bringing in striker Igor Jesus and defender Jair Cunha from Botafogo, while winger Anthony Elanga has joined Newcastle for £55million.

And Gibbs-White could also be on the move, with Tottenham looking to bring the England international to north London. Spurs made a £60m bid for the midfielder which matched his release clause, but Forest have accused them of an "illegal approach" and the deal is currently on hold.

However, Forest appear to be lining up a replacement for Gibbs-White, with the Telegraph reporting that they are interested in McAtee. The report states that City value the playmaker at around £35m.

It is claimed that City are using the £42.5m sale of Cole Palmer to Chelsea in 2023 as their benchmark for McAtee with Forest facing competition from West Ham, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.

McAtee made 27 appearances for City last season, but just nine of those were starts and manager Pep Guardiola has conceded that he may have to leave in search of more regular first team action.

Speaking back in April, Guardiola said: "I didn't allow him to play minutes so I cannot ask anything from the players who don't play a lot of minutes. They could do better? No. Macca has this quality, the ability to create.

"He is there. The game worked better against Palace, you create chances. Macca close to the box is quite similar to Phil. They are there, a sense. It's difficult to train, to make that movement because the ball is coming. If he plays minutes he will score.

"For the age, I'd like him to stay. But I understand the players want more minutes. I would like him to stay, he's a player for the academy, he knows the patterns. He's a lovely person and trained really good. He can play different positions but I don't know how the squad will be and we will see."

Brentford are set to lose Bryan Mbeumo to Manchester United but their other top attacker Yoane Wissa has also attracted interest from Newcastle and Tottenham this summer

Newcastle and Tottenham may have to abandon any plans to sign Yoane Wissa this summer now that Brentford and Manchester United have finally agreed terms for the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo.

The Cameroon star, 25, has been the subject of interest from United, Newcastle and Spurs this summer after breaking the 20-goal barrier in the Premier League for the first time last season, though the player's preference has always been a move to Old Trafford.

Talks over a transfer have dragged on for weeks with Brentford rebuffing two different bids for their star attacker.

During that same period, both Newcastle and Tottenham have set their sights on prising Wissa away from the Bees instead of Mbeumo.

But with Mbeumo now on his way to Manchester United in a deal which could reach £71m with add-ons, the chances of Wissa moving this summer would appear to be slim.

Wissa chalked up 20 goals in all competitions last season for Brentford alongside Mbeumo to put the likes of Newcastle and Spurs on alert.

But it's understood that Brentford will not entertain the idea of selling both of their top attackers in the same transfer window, meaning Wissa is now highly likely to stay put.

That will come as a big blow to both of his suitors; Spurs are now managed by Thomas Frank, who had been keen to reunite with Mbeumo and then Wissa in north London.

Join the debate! Will Mbeumo be a good signing for Man Utd? Let us know here

Newcastle, on the other hand, have been exploring a deal for Wissa after walking away from negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt over Hugo Ekitike, who is now expected to join Liverpool after agreeing personal terms with the newly minted Premier League champions.

The Magpies, like Spurs, are in the market for attacking reinforcements after qualifying for the Champions League. They have bolstered their forward options with the capture of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest: another club who have been courting Wissa.

Brentford have already identified Omari Hutchinson of Ipswich Town as their primary target to replace Mbeumo. The Bees had a £35m offer for the former Arsenal and Chelsea attacker turned down earlier this week but are expected to return with a new offer.

Morgan Gibbs-White makes Nottingham Forest transfer demand amid £60m Tottenham feud

Tottenham still have hopes of signing Morgan Gibbs-White despite Nottingham Forest threatening legal action over an "illegal approach" for the England international after triggering his £60m release clause

Morgan Gibbs-White wants his future to be resolved before Nottingham Forest jet off to Portugal for their pre-season training camp.

The 25-year-old is the subject of a furious transfer row after Tottenham activated his £60million release clause and thought they had snapped up the England international for a relative bargain.

But Forest hit back and accused the North London side of an "illegal approach" and said they would be consulting their lawyers after concerns of a confidentiality breach relating to the player's release clause.

Forest said they considered the move off for the time being after reporting Spurs to the Premier League and Gibbs-White has since returned to pre-season training with Nuno Espirito Santo's club.

Gibbs-White has been showing an "exemplary attitude" in training despite the uncertainty over his future, as reported by the Daily Mail, but is still eager to link up with Thomas Frank's Tottenham.

He held talks with Forest officials at the club's training ground on Monday and now wants clarity over where he will be playing his football next season.

Gibbs-White is "hopeful" a solution can be found by the end of the weekend as Forest prepare for their first pre-season friendly against Monaco on Saturday. While in Portugal, Forest are set to play against Fulham and local side Estoril Praia.

The report adds that the "ball is in Tottenham's court", with the Europa League champions weighing up a second bid worth around £65m - but it is unclear whether that would be enough to change Forest's minds.

If no progress is made on a bid, Gibbs-White is expected to travel with Forest for their trip to Portugal. The team are set to stay in the country until August 1. They will return for games against Fiorentina and Al Qadsiah at the City Ground before their Premier League opener against Brentford on August 17.

Frank would be eager to have Gibbs-White in his squad as soon as possible to get a full pre-season with the talented midfielder, who scored seven goals in the Premier League last season - assisting a further eight.

His superb performances have also led to interest from Manchester City and he now has a total of four caps with England - with Thomas Tuchel calling him up for recent games against Andorra and Senegal.

Spurs are hoping to make him their second major signing of the summer after already securing the signature of West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus for £55m.

Morgan Gibbs-White told he should SUE 'disgrace' Nottingham Forest over Tottenham transfer

Tottenham's move for Morgan Gibbs-White has been put on hold after Nottingham Forest claimed Spurs had made an illegal approach and the player has now been urged to sue

Morgan Gibbs-White has been told he should sue Nottingham Forest after they blocked Tottenham's £60million swoop for the England international, claiming that Spurs had made an illegal approach.

Tottenham decided to trigger Gibbs-White's release clause, but the transfer has been put on hold after Forest wrote a letter of complaint to the Premier League and Spurs alleging that they had tapped up their captain.

Now, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara has branded Forest a "disgrace" and claimed that Gibbs-White should sue the club and refuse to train in a bid to force through a move to north London.

"Morgan Gibbs-White should go to the PFA, he should sue Nottingham Forest, and he should refuse to train," O'Hara told Grosvenor Sport. "I think Forest are a disgrace, the way they have dealt with the situation is disgusting.

"He has signed a contract and there's a release clause of 60 million pounds in there. He knows it's in there, his agent knows it's in there and Nottingham Forest know that it's in there. He has agreed to that contract on those terms, whether he has become a better player at Forest that is worth more than 60 million, that’s on him.

"Now when someone finds out about the release clause, which happens every day in football, people find stuff out and agents talk, Nottingham Forest suddenly decide they can't have that, and the clause is confidential.

"What do you mean confidential? It's a release clause in a player's contract; he's entitled to know about it and tell people about it. What is going on here?

"Evangelos Marinakis has had an absolute stinker and his club are going to lose Morgan Gibbs-White for 60 million because he’s done better than they expected and someone found out. It's a disgrace.

"A player can tell who he wants about his contract, he's earned it, and they were all happy to sign it at the time. Now suddenly it's illegal, what on earth are they on about? It's disgusting."

Tottenham are backing new manager Thomas Frank this summer, having spent £55m to sign Mohammed Kudus from West Ham after making Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso's loan moves permanent.

Forest, meanwhile, are gearing up for Europa League football and have signed Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from Botafogo and sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for £55m.

Tottenham warned transfer target will be on Arsenal and Man Utd's radar - 'No doubt'

Tottenham are understood to be pursuing Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa but Stuart Pearce reckons other top Premier League clubs will be keeping an eye on the Bees star

Stuart Pearce believes that the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United will definitely have given some consideration to pursuing a deal for Yoane Wissa this summer as they search for attacking reinforcements.

Both the Gunners and United are looking to sign a new forward this summer, though Arsenal are now seemingly close to finalising a deal worth £67million for Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres; a player who has also been heavily linked with the Red Devils.

United remain in talks to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford as they bid to bolster their attack before the new campaign.

Tottenham were also interested in Mbeumo but with the Cameroon star only having eyes for United, they are now weighing up a move for his team-mate, who plundered 20 goals in all competitions for Brentford last term.

But Spurs have been warned by Pearce that Wissa's fine form across the 2024-25 campaign will have other clubs pondering a move as the transfer window rolls on.

"There’s no doubt Manchester United and Arsenal would have been looking at Yoane Wissa," Pearce told BoyleSports, via The Metro.

"When you look at the season he had last year, he was magnificent. The goals he’s delivered while playing with width and playing down the middle as well.

"That’s a major asset for any football club and the fact that Nottingham Forest have moved the odd player on recently, along with other sides in the division, you would think that by the time the season starts, he might well have moved on [from Brentford]."

Join the debate! Would Wissa be a good signing for Arsenal or Man Utd? Let us know here

While Nottingham Forest have already seen a bid rejected for Wissa this season, it remains to be seen if either Arsenal or United would be tempted to try and do a deal for the 28-year-old amid rival interest from Spurs, who want to reunite the DR Congo international with Thomas Frank in north London.

Arsenal are said to have Ollie Watkins as an alternative target if they cannot get a deal for Gyokeres over the line, while United's pursuit of Mbeumo would likely kill any chance of a move for Wissa with Brentford unwilling to sanction exits for both of their leading attackers in the same transfer window.

United have been locked in talks with Brentford for weeks over a deal for Mbeumo, who has made it clear he wants to move to Old Trafford. But an agreement is still seemingly no closer to being reached with both clubs standing firm on their valuation of the player.

Tottenham handed Morgan Gibbs-White lifeline as Nottingham Forest make transfer plan

Tottenham are hoping to sign Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White and have been handed a boost, with Nuno Espirito Santo eyeing a potential replacement for the England international

Nottingham Forest are reportedly interested in Aston Villa star Jacob Ramsey in a deal that could pave the way for Morgan Gibbs-White to join Tottenham. Forest enjoyed an excellent campaign last season, finishing seventh in the Premier League.

They will also play in the Europa League next season after FA Cup winners Crystal Palace were demoted to the Europa Conference League after they were found to have breached UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.

Forest have made just two senior signings so far this summer, bringing in striker Igor Jesus and defender Jair Cunha from Botafogo, and a new report from the Telegraph states that Ramsey has now emerged as their top target.

Ramsey was ever-present for Villa last season, making 46 appearances across all competitions, and has been identified by Forest as someone who can play anywhere across their frontline.

And Ramsey is on the radar of England boss Thomas Tuchel, who name checked him when he unveiled his first Three Lions squad. "There are some tough ones, with the likes of James Maddison, Gibbs-White and also Jacob Ramsey," he said at the time.

"I am sure that I miss out now only players who were also close. Very close calls. They were all disappointed, but it was important to bring the message in person."

It is claimed that Forest's interest is 'long-standing' and Villa could be tempted to sell as any fee would count as pure profit on their accounts as Ramsey is an academy graduate. The 24-year-old largely played on the left for Villa, but has also featured more centrally and on the right.

As a result, Ramsey could end up replacing either Gibbs-White or Anthony Elanga, who has been sold to Newcastle in a £55million deal. Spurs are hoping to sign Gibbs-White this summer, but Forest have accused them of making an "illegal approach".

Tottenham triggered Gibbs-White's £60m release clause, but Forest halted the deal after accusing them of effectively tapping up the player. Spurs, though, are said to still remain confident that the deal will be done.

Gibbs-White was a key player for Forest last season, producing 17 goal contributions in 34 league games, and was linked with a move to Manchester City before they signed Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.

Morgan Gibbs-White holds showdown talks amid £60m Nottingham Forest and Tottenham feud

Nottingham Forest have welcomed Morgan Gibbs-White back to training amid their dispute with Tottenham, who have been accused of an "illegal approach" over his signature

Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has held showdown talks with the club amid their dispute with Tottenham over their attempts to sign the midfielder for £60million.

Forest have pulled the brakes on Gibbs-White's move to Spurs after accusing the North London club of an "illegal approach" for the England international.

There have been claims of a confidentiality breach after Tottenham submitted a bid at the exact level of Gibbs-White's £60m release clause.

Forest have consulted their lawyers and written an "explosive" letter to both Spurs and the Premier League, who are now set to decide whether to investigate, according to the Daily Mail.

In the mean time, Gibbs-White has returned to training at Forest and the club have shared pictures of him arriving at their base for the start of pre-season.

Gibbs-White was given extra time off after featuring for England last month. He has since spoken to the club over the dispute, the report says, and the saga is set to drag on across the summer after Forest told Spurs not to make any further contact with their player.

Gibbs-White is high in demand this summer after superb season with Forest that saw him score seven goals and lay on eight assists in the Premier League.

There were also links with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City before Tottenham became frontrunners and quickly lodged a bid.

The report points out that if Tottenham are found guilty of wrongdoing, they face a hefty fine or a transfer ban.

There is still optimism from Spurs that they can resolve the situation and get a deal done, with the feeling that Forest are only able to delay the transfer - not block it entirely.

Spurs have already made three signings this summer after the arrivals of £55m Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, while Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso were both signed on permanent deals.

New boss Thomas Frank took over from Ange Postecoglou last month and is eager to overhaul a struggling squad that finished 17th last season - and he will need quality options for the Champions League after the team won the Europa League.