Daily Mail

Morgan Gibbs-White has revealed that complications with his fiancée's pregnancy played a crucial role in his decision to reject a move to Tottenham and commit his future to Nottingham Forest.

The 25-year-old midfielder was at the centre of one of the summer's most dramatic transfer sagas, with Spurs convinced they had triggered his £60million release clause in July.

A medical was even scheduled, only for the deal to collapse after Forest threatened to report Tottenham to the Premier League over what they believed to be an illegal approach.

Forest resisted multiple approaches from Spurs — including a second bid above the £60m clause — before Gibbs-White performed a dramatic U-turn and signed a new three-year deal until 2028, described by the club as a 'statement of intent' from owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Gibbs-White explained that the decision went far beyond football. His partner, Britney De Villiers, recently gave birth to their second child after a difficult pregnancy.

'Every footballer has personal goals and personal ambitions that they want to achieve,' Gibbs-White said. 'Mine is winning trophies, playing in the World Cup, playing in the Euros, playing Champions League football, just to be able to reach the maximum that I'm able to reach.

'Obviously in the summer, everybody's seen what was going on and whatever. But away from that, it was a really difficult period for me and my fiancée.

'Having my second child, but there were a few complications with all of that. I believed in being professional, showing up every day and letting everything else take care of what it needs to do. I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.

'I'm delighted with my decision, more than happy. I think my fiancée is even more happy because she didn't get to carry on with all the stress.'

Gibbs-White missed the start of Forest's pre-season training camp in Portugal to be with his partner, who described her experience as a 'high-risk pregnancy' on social media from a hospital bed.

He returned to action on July 14 and featured in multiple friendlies before opening the new campaign with 84 minutes in Forest's 3-1 victory over Brentford.

The England international, who has won four caps, insists his heart is now set on continuing his journey with Forest after helping the club qualify for Europe last season.

'With everything that happened this summer, it was like it hit home a bit,' he continued. 'I've been through a lot with this club these past three years, and to feel like I was going to miss out on what we achieved last season sort of broke me a little bit.

'And I wanted to go through this next stage with Forest and play Europa League football with them, because me and a few others were the ones that, three years ago we came in, this was our goal to stay in the league and try and push up.

'It's a home from home, so I sort of had that broken-hearted feeling, like when you split with your first childhood girlfriend.'

Since joining from Wolves for £25m in 2022, Gibbs-White has become a key figure at the City Ground, producing seven goals and eight assists in the Premier League last term as Forest surged to a seventh-place finish.

He added: 'I've got to look at what's best for myself and my family. And I feel like every decision I've made, I've made it on my own back and the help of my family. I've not once regretted any decision that I've made in my career so far, so I'm going to stick to what I believe and everything happens for a reason.'

For Tottenham, Gibbs-White's U-turn was the first of two high-profile frustrations in a bruising window. Just weeks later they thought they had Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze secured, only for Arsenal to hijack the deal at the last moment.

The double setback rekindled old anger among fans towards chairman Daniel Levy, who has faced criticism for failing to get deals over the line despite Spurs' clear need for creativity following James Maddison's long-term knee injury.

The pursuit of Manchester City winger Savinho remains ongoing, but the mood in north London is one of lingering regret.

Tottenham Hotspur have sparked anger among local residents after unveiling plans to build a £2million sports facility in an area of 'beautiful' ancient woodland.

The club are constructing a new women's academy, featuring a clubhouse and 11 pitches, in Whitewebbs Park in Enfield, north London.

Enfield Council and City Hall have approved Spurs' plans but they have attracted the fury of residents, who are campaigning against the construction and fear it will destroy the local area.

One campaigner, Caroline Day, accused the club of 'using the growing interest in women's football as an excuse to destroy a park'.

'In every way ethically, they are lacking compared with the other clubs,' she told Metro.

Those opposed to the project claim 16 hectares of green space will be lost, along with rare species of wildlife and vegetation, as a result of the plans, with Spurs aiming to develop an area previously used as a golf course.

They also point out how the club's main training ground, Hotspur Way, is located close to Whitewebbs Park.

A crowdfunder aiming to raise £30,000 to fight the plans has been launched. Some of those who have joined it are Spurs fans who claim they will be giving up their memberships with the club unless they perform a dramatic u-turn.

A total of £23,000 has been generated so far and there are still two weeks remaining on the crowdfunder.

The campaign group Guardian of Whitewebb have already taken Spurs to the High Court after arguing the development would have no benefit to the community.

'A lot of our supporters are Spurs fans who feel let down by a club they have put so much energy into supporting,' added Ms Day.

In a statement reported by The Sun, Tottenham said the project would 'improve local access to nature and habitats, and provide new facilities for visitors, community groups, and sports clubs'.

Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Crystal Palace to dramatically hijack Tottenham's move for Eberechi Eze in a deal worth around £60million - and it has now emerged that the player has been sold on joining the Gunners since a meeting with key club figures last month.

Spurs have been in negotiations with Palace over Eze for the past 10 days as they tried to agree a move worth £55million plus add-ons.

However, after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury, the Gunners' need for another attacker saw them turn to Eze.

Arsenal had earmarked signing the 27-year-old England international earlier in the window and knew they were his preferred destination but, following their £63m outlay on Viktor Gyokeres, they had wanted to concentrate on outgoings before adding another left-sided attacker.

But with Havertz set to be absent for an extended period, after suffering his injury in Arsenal's win at Manchester United on Sunday, the Gunners acted to steal Eze from under the nose of their fierce rivals.

Sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta met Eze last month, and he was sold on the idea of moving to the Gunners but an offer failed to materialise at that time.

Eze's release clause of £60m, plus £8m in bonuses, lapsed last week.

Daily Mail Sport understands Spurs agreed to Palace's demands on Wednesday and also agreed terms with Eze. At that stage, the player was keen to finalise the move.

However, Palace are understood to have insisted Eze remain available for their Conference League play-off first leg against Norwegian side Fredrikstad on Thursday night.

Arsenal then stepped in on Wednesday afternoon.

Tottenham moved for Eze after James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with a serious knee injury.

Talks had been progressing but stalled as Palace scrambled for a suitable replacement, with Spurs even understood to have proposed offering forward Richarlison as part of the deal to help negotiations progress.

But with Eze now expected to choose Arsenal, Spurs' inability to close the deal will prompt further criticism from fans, after the club missed out on Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.

There is dismay at Tottenham at how things have unfolded, but a belief that there is little more that they could have done.

The club remain interested in Manchester City winger Savinho and Brentford's Yoane Wissa but both clubs are reluctant to sell. Eze has been training with Palace ahead of tonight's game, along with Liverpool target Marc Guehi.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, boss Oliver Glasner said: 'They will play a crucial part for as long as they're here.'

Arsenal look set to beat bitter rivals Tottenham to the signing of Eberechi Eze after making a stunning late move for the Crystal Palace star, according to a report.

Eze had seemingly been on the brink of joining Spurs, who considered offering Richarlison as part of the deal.

Daily Mail Sport revealed that Spurs are exploring a part-exchange involving Richarlison plus cash for Eze.

In a stunning development, Arsenal have now formally come to the table with a £60million offer and the 27-year-old has told the Gunners he wants to join them, according to The Athletic.

The publication reports Arsenal are willing to meet the conditions of a deal for Eze and could now snatch the highly-rated midfielder from under the noses of their fiercest of rivals.

Arsenal have returned to the market for a forward player after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury.

And it now appears they are on the verge of pulling off one of the deals of the summer, just as it looked as though Eze was heading to the other half of north London.

Arsenal had retained an interest in Eze despite Spurs being in pole position to land one of the most in-demand Premier League players of this transfer window.

Spurs will pursue other targets should they lose out on Eze, with Yoane Wissa high on their list.

The Brentford star, however, has his heart set on a move to Newcastle, whose improved offer of £35m plus £5m in add-ons was rejected on Wednesday.

Eze, a boyhood Arsenal fan, started both the Community Shield win over Liverpool and the 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Sunday despite uncertainty surrounding his Palace future.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner said on Wednesday Eze and Marc Guehi, who is wanted by Liverpool, would both play in their Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park on Thursday.

'Many of you were surprised they started against Chelsea,' Glasner said.

'You may be surprised they will start tomorrow because of all the rumours.

'But they are committed to the team, they have a contract here and want to play a crucial part in our success.

'They will play a crucial part for as long as they are here. If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 per cent to Crystal Palace.

'This is what they have done since they signed many years ago and this is what we expect from them until the end.'

Signing Eze would take Arsenal's summer spending beyond £200m, following the arrival of the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke.

Tottenham are considering offering Richarlison as part of the deal to bring in Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace - and would then make a move for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.

In a stunning development, Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Spurs are exploring a part-exchange involving Richarlison plus cash for Eze, who is valued at around £60million.

If that were to happen, Spurs boss Thomas Frank would want to be re-united with Wissa, who he signed for Brentford in 2021.

However, sources insist that Wissa has his heart set on a move to Newcastle, who made an improved offer of £35m plus £5m in add-ons on Wednesday.

This is set to be formally rejected.

We have been told there is a feeling that Brentford are delaying that move because they want to sell Wissa to Tottenham, given their relationship with Frank.

This has angered the 28-year-old and his camp, who have been waiting on a deal being agreed with Newcastle for more than three weeks.

Spurs would need to free up the attacking space to add Wissa, and that is why they are open to involving Richarlison in the Eze deal, despite him scoring twice the 3-0 win over Burnley on Saturday.

Arsenal are also said to retain an interest in Eze.

Ineos are counter-suing Tottenham Hotspur as the row over their exit from a sponsorship deal with the north London club rumbles on.

Earlier this year it emerged that the Manchester United co-owners, led by billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, were the subject of legal action from Spurs - who claimed they had breached the terms of a £17m, five-year agreement.

According to papers lodged at the High Court, Tottenham are claiming no more than £11m from the petrochemical firm, whose Grenadier model was the ‘official 4x4 vehicle partner’ in deal signed in 2022.

However, Ineos have now fired back at Spurs in an explosive defence of their actions, accusing them of lining up a sponsorship deal with German rival Audi, around the transfer of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich.

They are now seeking £1m from Spurs, who terminated the contract on March 11 this year before claiming they had done so because Ineos had failed to pay a £5m-plus instalment that was due on December 1 last year.

Throughout what is an already-messy legal battle, Ineos have maintained that they had a right to exit from the agreement.

And now, they have upped the ante. In a response submitted to the High Court last week, Ineos went as far as suggesting Tottenham had gone behind their backs: ‘The particulars of claim make no mention of a highly significant series of events by which the club, unbeknown to Ineos, started negotiating with a major competitor to Ineos with the intention of granting rights to that competitor which were exclusive to Ineos,’ they say.

In the papers, the filing of which was first reported by the Daily Telegraph, Ineos add: ‘On or around 3 August 2023 (i.e. early in contract year two), Todd Kline of the club (“Mr Kline”) indicated to Ashley Reed of Ineos (‘Mr Reed’) that the club had been in discussions with the German car manufacturer Audi AG (‘Audi’) in connection with rights which were the same as, or substantially similar to, the rights granted to Ineos under the agreement and/or the club had been negotiating with Audi in respect of rights which were exclusive to Ineos under clause 4 of the agreement. ‘According to Mr Kline, the discussions and/or negotiations related to a proposed transfer of the club’s player Harry Kane (‘Mr Kane’) to the German club FC Bayern Munich (‘Bayern Munich’).’

While the Audi/Kane deal failed to materialise, Ineos claim that the events had led both parties to agree that they could terminate the agreement from the end of the third year. Kline was Tottenham’s head of commercial, who is now at Chelsea.

Spurs are also seeking a minimum of £5,275,974 in damages. Tottenham declined to comment. Ineos again stated that they had a ‘contractual right to terminate our partnership contract’, adding ‘in December 2024 we exercised that right’.

In recent times, with a full focus on Manchester United, Ineos have reduced their wider sporting portfolio, ending the backing of a number of organisations including Sir Ben Ainslie’s sailing team and the All Blacks.

Paul Merson 'cannot believe' Chelsea aren't targeting Eberechi Eze in a bid to bolster their 'predictable' attack.

The Crystal Palace No 10 has been the subject of much interest this summer, with first Arsenal and later Tottenham Hotspur vying for his signature.

He now looks set for a move to the latter, as Daily Mail Sport revealed, with a deal expected to be agreed between Spurs and the Eagles in the 'next two to three days'.

It's thought Palace are seeking a fee of around £50m plus add-ons, with the two club's edging closer to agreeing terms over the move.

But Merson, who is an avid Chelsea supporter despite his ties to Arsenal, cannot understand why the Blues aren't hijacking the transfer.

Enzo Maresca's side were held to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge against Palace on Sunday and, given their pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, are clearly in the market for attackers.

Writing in his Sky Sports column, Merson explained that Chelsea need a playmaker to ease the pressure on Cole Palmer to make things happen.

'I cannot believe Chelsea aren't going for Eberechi Eze,' the 57-year-old wrote.

'I really don't know what I'm missing. They buy winger after winger, but they need guile. They need more than Palmer.

'If you get Eze, you then have two players who can break teams down. They are predictable for me, they play with two quick wingers with Palmer trying to feed them.'

Merson went on to describe Chelsea's opening league fixture as a 'worrying' sign of what could be to come given the side's obvious reliance on Palmer.

'Chelsea were not good against Crystal Palace, the draw was worrying,' he added.

'If Cole Palmer isn't going to break a team down, I'm not sure who is for Chelsea.

'Palmer is now the talk of the town in team talks up against Chelsea. Teams are trying to stop him because they think stop him, stop Chelsea.

'Stop Cole Palmer will be the message for West Ham on Friday. That's just how it is. He needs some support, if opposition teams pick him and and mark him well, I'm not sure what Chelsea have.

'Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens have pace, but they struggled to beat their defenders on Sunday.'

A deal for the former is reportedly set to be completed following the start of the Bundesliga season this weekend, with RB Leipzig valuing the midfielder at around £60m.

Meanwhile the Argentine Manchester United outcast is thought to have already agreed personal terms with Chelsea, but there remains a gap in the two clubs' valuation of him.

The Blues will likely have to chop players from their bloated squad before they splash out the £60m United desire for Garnacho.

Todd Boehly and co are reportedly working on doing just that, with up to nine players at risk of being sold by Chelsea before the transfer window closes early next month.

It's thought the club are trying to arrange sales or loans for Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Renato Veiga, Alex Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Tyrique George and Raheem Sterling.

Following an underwhelming loan spell at Arsenal last term, Sterling is said to be keen on a permanent move away from the club but his £325,000-a-week contract is proving to be something of a stumbling block in transfer negotiations.

Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham United are all interested in securing his signature, with the former England international favouring a move to a London-based club.

Eberechi Eze's move to Tottenham is expected to be agreed in the next ‘two to three days’, Daily Mail Sport understands.

Sources have disclosed that the deal to take the talented Crystal Palace playmaker across London is edging closer for a fee of around £50m plus add-ons – although the Eagles remain adamant they will not let the player go until they have a replacement lined up.

Talks between the two clubs have taken place this week - and further discussions are planned - but there is now a hope that a breakthrough will happen before the weekend.

Palace do not want to lose the England forward without being able to move to bring in a successor and are wary that time is limited given the window closes at the start of next month.

Spurs have long been admirers of Eze and have stepped up their interest following the injury to James Maddison, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. To add to the situation Dejan Kulusevski, another attacking midfielder, is out with a knee issue.

Perhaps some people at Tottenham would have preferred to see Eberechi Eze sat in the stands at Chelsea safe from the risk of injury. Their pursuit of Eze has been long and arduous, and to see the process wrecked in its final stages would have rendered those efforts a complete waste of time.

Fortunately for all concerned, the Crystal Palace and England forward emerged unscathed from the draw Stamford Bridge and Spurs were treated to another example of his class as they inch closer to a £60million deal.

Not simply with the free kick scored and ruled out on a technicality or another sublime display but rather Eze's attitude. His commitment to the Palace cause, his mental fortitude and determination to do the right thing.

'His mentality is probably his strongest asset,' says Chris Ramsey, who was head coach of Queens Park Rangers when they signed Eze at 18 on a free after his release from Millwall, and the technical director and head of coaching by the time they sold him to Palace four years later for £20million.

'He has great self-belief, a spiritual person and a strong family unit around him. Some players lose focus with the first sniff of a move but there is all this noise going on and he doesn't play like someone distracted. He is totally focused, grateful for the opportunity Crystal Palace have given him and that says a lot about him and the culture inside Palace.'

It cannot have failed to strike a chord with Thomas Frank, himself a man of principle.

Eze's talent on the ball is beyond question. In five years at Palace, he has matured into a top-class footballer, understanding his role to the team and learning ways to impose his strengths on a game and influence results on the biggest stage.

After a subdued start to last season, his contributions since March when he scored his first England goal, against Latvia at Wembley, has been exceptional. Almost as if that was the final piece of the puzzle slotting into place. The goal to convince him he belonged in that sort of exalted company.

It was the first in a sequence of 10 goals in 13 games, including the opener in an FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham, the opener in an FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa and the only goal of the final against Manchester City.

There were goals against Arsenal and City in the Premier League and both goals in a 2-0 win at Tottenham in May.

'He believes he is at that level,' Ramsey tells Daily Mail Sport. 'Stepping into the dressing room it is easy to feel imposter syndrome. He doesn't have that. He knows he is good enough and just plays his game. Even with England, he doesn't play safe. That's the result of supreme confidence. Physically, he is at his peak.

'Palace have done a really good job with him. Now, he is ripe. It would be a pity if he became overripe.'

Eze is 27, and yet most of the wealthiest clubs want to sign younger players, to develop them with sell-on potential. It might explain to some degree why Arsenal's interest has dissipated. They have spent heavily on Viktor Gyokeres at the same age.

For Spurs, there is the insurance of a player proven in the Premier League and settled in London. There should be minimal adjustment beyond the tactical demands of the head coach, the habits of teammates and the rhythms of the team.

Frank's team has appeared robust and effective in his first two games, although Eze would add a little fantasy. It is something they expect in N17 and something they are short on with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevksi injured.

Mohammed Kudus produced bursts of excitement in his home debut and two assists for Richarlison in a 3-0 win against Burnley on Saturday.

It could be argued that Kudus and Eze are players who decorate rather than dominate a game, although that has always been the case with flair players. They will be inconsistent because of the high tariff of what they are trying to do.

Those who deliver in every time are truly among the greats of the game and modern football's adjustment to these inconsistencies has been to build up a squad with a battery of flair options.

This player for this game and that player for that game and the flexibility to make changes from the bench when things are not going to plan. But very few are unaware of their defensive responsibilities, including Eze.

He might not track back and tackle but under Roy Hodgson and Oliver Glasner has learned to appreciate his role in the shape of the team.

'There are different ways of analysing defensive strengths,' adds Ramsey. 'Even those not brilliant in one-v-one duels can work within a unit. It's one of the things Palace have helped him to realise.

'That doesn't mean you have to be blocking shots like a centre half but when you have to defend with 10 you defend with 10, and understanding tactically what's needed has become a massive part of his game.

'At times when he was developing with us at QPR he used to overindulge but he has got to a point where the balance is good.'

At Palace, they found a way to make him most effective. With Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the line, Ismaila Sarr's pace stretching opponents and creating space, Adam Wharton fizzing passes into his feet and wing backs tearing up and down the flanks.

There is no reason Frank cannot build a similar structure around his strengths, with a powerful defensive platform, speedsters out wide and a powerful centre forward capable of holding up the ball.

The future is starting to take shape at Spurs. Captain Cristian Romero has committed his future to the club, signing a new contract until 2029. Djed Spence has signed until the same year with the option of another year.

Savinho wants to join from Manchester City. Eze will be the jewel at the centre.

Eberechi Eze's boyhood allegiance to Arsenal has been revealed in unseen footage that has circulated online.

Crystal Palace star Eze is being strongly linked with a move to Tottenham, and Daily Mail Sport reported on Sunday how Thomas Frank's side are expected to offer around £55million plus bonuses for the midfielder.

It comes after Eze has emerged as one of the most wanted targets in the transfer market this summer following his sparkling performances over recent seasons for the Eagles.

His release clause of £60million plus a further £8m in add ons expired last week but Spurs are stepping up their attempts to sign him as they search for more attacking reinforcements after James Maddison was ruled out for the majority of the season with a knee ligament injury.

Arsenal had been touted with an interest in Eze earlier this summer but that subsequently cooled, with Spurs instead emerging as front -runners for the 27-year-old.

But, in footage that circulated on social media over the weekend, an old clip from 2018 showed Eze talking about his history with Arsenal.

When asked by journalist Alessandro Morolli-Schiavone who his favourite Premier League club were, Eze - who was a QPR player at the time - replied: 'Arsenal.'

After being pressed on why, Eze added: 'I've just supported them from young, the way they play. I played with them when I was younger as well so they're my favourite team.'

Eze was in the youth system at Arsenal during his formative years before he was released at the age of 13.

He subsequently spent time in the academies at Fulham, Reading and Millwall but ultimately made his professional breakthrough at QPR.

The 27-year-old, who was a key player for the Rs at the time of the interview in November 2018, was then probed on whether he would be interested in a move to Arsenal given his affiliation.

'I don't know about all of that,' said Eze as he awkwardly laughed about the question. 'But I'm a QPR player now and I'm happy to be playing for QPR and it's going well at the moment.'

Given his Arsenal background, Eze was also asked about his thoughts on a move to Tottenham and whether that would be off the table as a result.

Again, Eze, clearly keen not to talk about transfers, laughed and said: 'Listen, I don't know about any of this... but I don't know, maybe.'

It must be noted that footballers rarely transfer their childhood support into their professional career.

NOTE with embedded video: Eze does not say he 'would never join Tottenham'

In response to other questions within the interview, Eze backed Arsenal for the Premier League title in the 2018-19 season, while he also said Gunners star Mesut Ozil was the most underrated player in the top flight.

He was then pressed further on where his love for Arsenal came from.

'When I was younger, Thierry Henry... I used to love Thierry Henry,' Eze explained.

'And that's sort of why I decided to sign for them when I was younger (because) to play for the club you support is what I want to do.

'Just growing up with them, playing for them and everything and I've just grown a love for the team... so yeah that's it really.'