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Evangelos Marinakis' immediate reaction to Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga emerges as Nottingham Forest consider legal action

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Evangelos Marinakis' reaction to Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga emerges as Forest consider legal action - SPORTbible
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Evangelos Marinakis' reaction to the Morgan Gibbs-White transfers saga has emerged as Nottingham Forest consider legal action against Tottenham.

Gibbs-White has attracted plenty of interest following his performances for Forest last season.

He shone as he helped his side secure a top half finish in the Premier League table.

Manchester City were briefly linked with Gibbs-White as they viewed him as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

But a move away from the City Ground appears to be on the cards as Spurs look to trigger the player's £60 million release clause.

However, Spurs' approach has angered Forest, who are considering legal action.

Forest are believed to be looking at whether a specific confidentiality agreement in the £60 million release clause in Gibbs-White's contract has been breached.

It is understood Forest insist they have not given their rivals permission to speak to Gibbs-White and are willing to go to whatever lengths required to stop the transfer from happening.

Clubs are not allowed to talk to players under contract with another team unless they have permission, with a previous ruling setting a precedent.

Spurs are aware of the situation but are still hopeful of securing the 25-year-old's services.

According to TBR Football, owner Marinakis is 'furious' over how the situation has played out and 'wants answers'.

Per the report, Forest are unlikely to prevent Gibbs-White's transfer to Spurs, with the England international's camp expecting a move to the North London outfit this summer.

"Marinakis is furious, he is so angry this came out and he wants answers," Graeme Bailey said of the situation.

"The club have spoken to lawyers and obviously someone has broken a confidence agreement somewhere."

Gibbs-White joined Forest from Wolves in the summer of 2022 in a deal worth up to £42.5 million.

He has made 118 appearances across all competitions, scoring 18 goals.

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Premier League has set precedent on Nottingham Forest blocking Morgan Gibbs-White's Spurs transfer and it involves Man Utd

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Premier League has set precedent on Nottingham Forest blocking Morgan Gibbs-White's Spurs transfer - SPORTbible
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A previous Premier League transfer ruling may have set a precedent for the ongoing Morgan Gibbs-White saga between Nottingham Forest and Spurs.

Shock news on Thursday evening revealed that Tottenham Hotspur had triggered the £60million release clause included in Forest star Gibbs-White's contract, with the Englishman expected to join in the coming days.

Gibbs-White has previously been heavily linked with Manchester City, but was reportedly preparing to undergo a medical in London ahead of the move to Spurs.

However, out of nowhere the deal appears to have temporarily fallen through as Nottingham Forest have blocked the move and reported Tottenham Hotspur to the Premier League for allegedly making an illegal approach to their star player.

Although the Premier League is yet to officially respond to the claims, its previous actions during a similar case between Manchester United and Liverpool may hint at how it could react.

According to the Daily Mail, Forest have ceased all communication with Spurs regarding Gibbs-White's transfer and have even threatened to sue their rivals over the situation.

While it is not yet known if the Premier League will block the transfer entirely, the disagreement will certainly delay any potential move, frustrating both Spurs and Gibbs-White.

However, the Premier League's official reaction to Liverpool's attempts to sign Gabriel Heinze from historic rivals United back in 2007 may provide an insight into what could happen regarding Gibbs-White.

During the summer of 2007, Heinze hoped to make the move to Anfield, claiming that the Red Devils had given him written permission to join another club for a fee of £6.8m.

However, when it became clear that the Argentine wanted to join Liverpool, United blocked the move as they did not want to sell him to a Premier League rival.

After a legal battle regarding the move, the Premier League arbitration panel concluded that the permission "was unambiguous in that it envisages only an international transfer".

The full statement read: "The arbitration panel's verdict read: "The Premier League Board-appointed panel have heard submissions of evidence from both parties and has ruled to dismiss the player's case.

"The hearing concluded that nature and intention of the disputed 13 June 2007 letter, especially when taken in context of verbal discussions and Manchester United FC's transfer policy, was unambiguous in that it envisages only an international transfer.

"Furthermore, the hearing finds the letter constitutes an 'agreement to agree' and did not create an obligation or binding agreement for the club to transfer the player to any particular club."

Both United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chief executive David Gill were present at the hearing and were said to be happy that United's case was upheld.

Just days later, the 29-year-old instead joined Spanish giants Real Madrid for a reported £8m fee, signing a four-year deal.

Although it remains unclear if the Premier League will react in the same way to Forest's case against Spurs, if the London club were to be found guilty, it is believed that they could be handed a large fine or even a transfer ban.

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Ange Postecoglou 'contacted' by shock Premier League club over immediate return to English football

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Ange Postecoglou 'contacted' by shock Premier League club over immediate return to English football - SPORTbible
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Ange Postecoglu was reportedly offered the chance to return to the Premier League just weeks after being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur.

After securing a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final, Postecoglu fulfilled his now iconic promise of delivering a trophy in his second season as Spurs manager.

Despite this, just days later it was confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur had made the decision to sack the Australian manager due to his poor form in the Premier League, finishing the season in 17th.

The news shocked many fans who felt that Postecoglu had earned the chance to stay at the club after finally ending the club's 17-year wait for a trophy.

But now it's been revealed that Postecoglu actually was given the chance to stay in the Premier League next season, just not with Spurs.

Shortly after Postecoglu's departure from Spurs was confirmed, former Brentford manager Thomas Frank was announced as his replacement, signing a contract that runs until 2028.

And, according to a report from The Athletic, once they learned that they were set to lose their manager, Brentford contacted Postecoglu to offer him the chance to take over in what would have essentially been a job swap.

Although he never formally interviewed for the job, Postecoglu had informal discussions with Brentford director of football Phil Giles, but ultimately both parties agreed that it was not the best option for either of them.

Brentford are said to have considered several other candidates to replace Frank, including former Ajax head coach Francesco Farioli, but ultimately opted to promote set-piece coach Keith Andrews.

Explaining the decision, Giles stated: “It’s more risky to go and get a coach we don’t know from a club where the environment might be different or maybe people around them made them successful.

"This is actually quite a low-risk appointment because I know how good Keith is.”

During his time at Spurs, Postecoglu took charge of 101 matches across all competitions, winning 47, drawing 14 and losing 40.

In his statement following his departure, Postecoglu thanked Spurs fans, writing: "When I reflect on my time as Manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride.

"The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime.

"We are forever connected. Audere est Facere."

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Tottenham tried to include trophy clause in deal for Mohammed Kudus and West Ham's reaction is brutal

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Tottenham tried to include trophy clause in deal for Mohammed Kudus and West Ham's reaction is brutal - SPORTbible
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West Ham United have given a frank response to Tottenham Hotspur after rejecting the North London club's bid for attacker Mohammed Kudus.

The 24-year-old is among the players in the Premier League who could be on the move this summer after 19 goals in 80 games across all competitions since joining the Hammers back in 2023.

Kudus, a Ghana international, signed from Ajax for £35.6m and has become a key player for the club in that time over the past two seasons.

Last season, West Ham finished higher in the Premier League table than Spurs, with a 14th-placed position to sit three places above their North London rivals.

But Spurs ended a trophy drought last season which stretched back to 2008 after winning the Europa League following a 1-0 victory over fellow English side Manchester United, and secured Champions League qualification in the process.

That has also brought Spurs increased revenue though Champions League money, though it was not enough to ensure Ange Postecoglou kept his job and he has seen been replaced in the dugout by Thomas Frank, who has moved to Tottenham from Brentford and is planning an overhaul at the club.

So far this summer, Spurs have made the loan moves of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel permanent as Frank bids to strengthen his squad ahead of the new campaign getting under way in August.

Spurs are interested in signing West Ham's Kudus, who has a contract at the London Stadium until the summer of 2028 as things stand and it would be the first piece of business the clubs have done together since 2011 in an 'unofficial transfer embargo'.

The Athletic has reported that Spurs have had a bid worth £50m for Kudus turned down by West Ham, with Chelsea also interested in the attacker.

It is also reported that Kudus has a buy-out clause for the first 10 days of this month which values him at £85 million for fellow Premier League sides.

The player himself wants to move to Spurs, but a fresh report has outlined the terms that the North London club attempted to secure Kudus' signature with.

According to talkSPORT, the £50 million bid for Kudus contained add-ons which would only be paid if Spurs won either the Premier League or the Champions League, which it could be argued is somewhat unrealistic despite finally ending their 17-year trophy drought with their Europa League win.

Spurs last won the English top flight back in 1961, while the closest they have come to winning Europe's most prestigious club competition was in 2019 when they reached the final but lost to Liverpool.

And the report states that West Ham have told Tottenham to 'get real' and that future bids must guarantee them at least £60 million in a more realistic transfer proposal.

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Spurs will 'break transfer embargo' with deal for player whose club they haven't done business with for 14 years

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Spurs will 'break transfer embargo' in deal for player whose club they haven't done business with for 14 years - SPORTbible
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Tottenham Hotspur are set to move for a player who plays for a club with whom they have not done business since 2011.

The 2025/26 Premier League campaign is just 46 days away, and clubs have already and will continue to pursue players in the summer transfer window.

It has already been a summer of change at Spurs with Ange Postecoglou departing, making way for former Brentford boss Thomas Frank to make the switch from west to north London.

Fraser Forster, Sergio Reguilon and Alfie Whiteman will all leave the club upon the expiration of their current contracts, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's loan to Marseille will become a permanent transfer.

But who will arrive as Frank’s squad takes shape ahead of the campaign?

Spurs will compete in four competitions – the Champions League, Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup – as well as facing Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final on August 13.

As reported by The Telegraph on Monday (June 30), the Hammers attacker has been “identified as a primary target” for Spurs.

Kudus, 24, has a release clause worth around £85m in his current deal, which is set to run for the first ten days of July, with Spurs hoping to complete a deal for less than the aforementioned figure.

The report claims that although Spurs have shown interest in Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo - who has been the subject of two bids from Manchester United this summer – they see Kudus as their ‘first choice’.

If a deal is struck, Kudus, who has scored 19 goals in 89 appearances for the Hammers, would become the first player to move directly from West Ham to Spurs since Scott Parker in 2011.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy blocked Emmanuel Adebayor from joining the east London club in 2015, and the clubs have not done business since the Parker deal, now 14 years ago.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has also claimed that “initial contacts took place with agents” and that Kudus is “open to Spurs talks”.

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USA fans want Mauricio Pochettino replaced immediately after ex-Spurs manager 'interviews' for Premier League job

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USA fans want Mauricio Pochettino replaced immediately after ex-Spurs manager 'interviews' for Premier League job - SPORTbible
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Fans of the United States national football team have called for Mauricio Pochettino to be replaced after it was suggested the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss was interviewed for another Premier League job.

Pochettino was appointed last September in his current role and has won eight of his 13 games in charge so far.

Pochettino is well known to fans of English football having had three Premier League jobs in his managerial career.

The Argentine spent nearly 18 months at Southampton before moving to Spurs in 2014 and spent more than five years at the North London club, taking the side to the 2019 Champions League final.

After being sacked by Spurs following a slide in form and a spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino spent a season at Chelsea.

Despite securing a sixth placed finish in the Premier League, Pochettino departed Stamford Bridge just a year into his deal, before becoming the boss of the United States last September.

One Premier League side that has recently had a change in the dugout is Brentford, after Thomas Frank left the Bees to take up the vacancy at Spurs left by Ange Postecoglou's sacking.

Despite winning the Europa League, the club's first trophy since 2008, the Australian was dismissed after Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League.

Brentford have since filled the vacancy left by Frank's departure by appointing Keith Andrews as the club's new head coach, having already been a member of the London side's coaching staff.

Brentford director of football Phil Giles said: "Keith is a very good fit.

"He gets on with everyone, he’s very open and he’s a learner. Keith is clear in what he wants, he’s detailed, and the players and staff like and respect him.

"He understands the players in the building and the way we’ve played and trained under Thomas Frank.

"Keith will bring his own evolution but isn’t starting from scratch, so hopefully we can make some quick progress.

"He’s a very good coach and has clear ideas about how he wants the team to improve. We were looking for somebody not just to maintain what we’ve been doing but actually try and get better."

But according to Irish publication The 42, it has suggested Pochettino was interviewed for the job by Brentford, along with ex-Leicester City and Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.

Pochettino himself has denied that he spoke to the Bees regarding the job, according to Fox Sports, in response to the story.

But taking to social media, USA fans are calling for Pochettino to be replaced after speaking to the Bees.

One wrote: "If this report is true, I have lost the little respect I had left for Pochettino. If you don’t want to coach the USMNT, just leave."

Another said: "If true, he has to go."

One posted: "Not a good look."

While another said: "He should be fired immediately if the report is true."

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Club pull out of the race to sign Bryan Mbeumo as deal for the Brentford star takes shock twist

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Club pull out of the race to sign Bryan Mbeumo as deal for the Brentford star takes shock twist - SPORTbible
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The transfer saga involving Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has taken a fresh twist with one team reportedly pulling out of the race.

Mbeumo, 25, was one of the standout players in the 24/25 season after scoring 20 goals and assisting nine in 42 appearances across all competitions for the Bees.

As a result, with the summer transfer window open, Mbeumo has been heavily linked with a move away from Brentford.

It has been widely reported that Manchester United would like to take the winger to Old Trafford.

Earlier in the month, it was claimed that Tottenham Hotspur had entered the race to sign the Cameroon international.

Spurs were looking to use new manager Thomas Frank, who worked with Mbeumo at Brentford, to tempt the forward to reject United.

However, it has now been claimed that Spurs have dropped out of the race.

According to Transfer Insider's Valentin Furlan, who wrote on social media: "Spurs are OUT of Bryan Mbeumo race, sources tell me and @RudyGaletti.

"As reported — the player has given his word to Manchester United."

He added: "Positive signs in the latest meeting between Manchester United, Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo, per me and @RudyGaletti.

"Personal terms agreed, parties now working on the fixed fee. As reported — Mbeumo only wants United."

It looks set to be a busy transfer window for the Red Devils as they look to provide Ruben Amorim with more quality after their dismal 15th-place finish in the 24/25 campaign.

So far, United have already snapped up Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a reported fee of £62.5 million.

Aside from Mbeumo, United have also been linked with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike.

However, the Red Devils will face competition from Premier League rivals such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool in their bid to buy a new striker.

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Gareth Bale to front shock takeover bid for English club as 'behind the scenes' talks revealed

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Former Tottenham Hotspur legend Gareth Bale could be making a shock return to England as details of 'secret talks' to takeover a club have been revealed.

As he left Spurs to join Real Madrid for a then world-record transfer fee of £85.1 million back in September 2013, Bale left behind a legacy of one the Premier League's greatest players.

The Welshman had spent six years playing for Spurs and scored 26 goals in his final season, earning both the Professional Footballers' Association's and Football Writers' player of the year awards.

He later made a brief return to the Premier League side on a season-long loan in September 2020, scoring 11 goals and assisting two across 20 Premier League appearances.

But it now appears that Bale could be preparing to make a shock return to England as the Welshman is believed to have held secret meetings to take over a club this summer.

According to a report from The Telegraph, Bale is expected to be the face of a US-based private equity group's bid to buy Plymouth Argyle in the coming months.

It claims that talks for a deal have already taken place, with members of the American-based Storch family also believed to be involved.

Although it is not yet known exactly how far discussions have gone, it is believed that Bale has been part of the discussions that would see the group take full control at Home Park.

It is believed that Argyle's current chairman Simon Hallett has been looking for investment for at least a year, and recently agreed a deal to sell a stake in the club, only for it to fall through last month.

But it appears that Bale and his group feel that now is the perfect time to invest in Argyle, who recently appointed former Watford boss Tom Cleverley as their new manager after they were relegated from the Championship in May.

Bale's partnership with the bid comes as the latest in a series or recent takeovers that have worked with well-known names to add excitement to their club purchases.

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Thomas Frank's first Spurs signing 'confirmed' just days after he was appointed as Tottenham head coach

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Thomas Frank's first Spurs signing 'confirmed' just days after he was appointed as Tottenham head coach - SPORTbible
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Thomas Frank’s first signing as Spurs head coach has reportedly been confirmed.

Frank, 51, was appointed as Spurs’ head coach on Thursday after a successful seven-year spell at Brentford.

A club statement confirming the news read: “In Thomas, we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. He has a proven track record in player and squad development, and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.

“Thomas will be joined from Brentford by Justin Cochrane (First Team Assistant Coach), Chris Haslam (Head of Performance & First Team Assistant Coach) and Joe Newton (First Team Coach Analyst), with Andreas Georgson (First Team Assistant Coach) arriving from Manchester United.”

The club have since been linked with Bees forward Bryan Mbeumo, who has also been the subject of a bid from Manchester United.

But on Saturday, journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the club have reached a deal with a highly-rated player.

“Mathys Tel will leave Bayern and join Spurs on a permanent deal, agreement set to be reached,” Romano wrote on X.

“€35m fee in addition to €10m loan fee, as BILD @cfbayern @altobelli13reported.

“Tel, set to stay at Tottenham also under new head coach Thomas Frank.”

Of course, Tel, 20, spent the second half of the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Spurs, making 20 appearances and was included in the Europa League final squad, but did not feature in Bilbao.

Tel is currently away on international duty with France at the Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia.

Ange Postecoglou, who Tel worked under during his short spell at Spurs, insisted that the Frenchman could hold his own in the Premier League and dubbed him a "very exciting" player back in April.

“I didn’t actually bring him here just for six months,” Postecoglou said.

“I think he’s very, very exciting. When you meet him, you realise that he has that certain something. He has enormous confidence in what he wants to do."

He added: “Although he is still young, he can physically handle the Premier League.

“He’s a goal scorer, he can hold his own, he’s got the necessary speed. He will play an important role in our end-of-season push and beyond."

Tel clearly made himself at home in North London and gave an emotional interview to Spurs' official website after the side's Europa League triumph, even referring to Tottenham as "everything" to him and the fans.

“This story was incredible for the club, the fans… I’m very happy," Tel said.

"We did it and we deserve it. I’m playing football and playing to win trophies, so I believe in this team, this club and that’s why we did it. This is a big family with the fans, with everyone. It’s not just a club. It’s everything for us. "We have to keep going and win again.”

Who else could Spurs sign this summer?

Of course, Mbeumo is the obvious candidate to follow Frank across London, but he could be joined by Brentford teammate Yoane Wissa.

As reported by The Guardian, there has been 'internal discussions' about a potential move for the DR Congo man, with the Bees reportedly valuing Wissa at around the £40m mark.

Wissa scored 19 times in 35 Premier League appearances in 2024/25 and may also be on Nottingham Forest's list, after the East Midlands side tried to sign him last summer.

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Brentford immediately block Thomas Frank from poaching unexpected player to take to Spurs

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Brentford immediately block Thomas Frank from poaching unexpected player to take to Spurs - SPORTbible
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Brentford have made their feelings about letting one of their star players join Tottenham Hotspur after Thomas Frank's move was confirmed.

Just two weeks after he led them to victory in the Europa League final against Manchester United, Spurs announced that they had sacked manager Ange Postecoglu.

It was later confirmed that former Brentford boss Frank would take over in the Spurs dugout, instantly sparking rumours regarding which players the Dane might hope to bring to his new club.

However, there is one star player that it appears Brentford are absolutely adamant will not be leaving the club this summer, regardless of any potential offers from Spurs or any other club.

Shortly after Spurs revealed Frank as their new manager, news broke that star forward Bryan Mbeumo was considering joining his former boss despite interest from Manchester United.

A report from the The Mirror later claimed that Spurs have already submitted a massive bid for the winger £65million plus £5million in add-ons, viewing his as a statement signing.

But Mbeumo isn't the only Brentford player that the Frank may look to sign in the summer, as reports have suggested that Spurs have bookmarked Christian Norgaard as a potential signing in their hunt for a new number six.

The Brentford captain was a key player for Frank in recent years and could act as the perfect replacement for Yves Bissouma who is likely to leave Spurs this summer.

However, it appears that Brentford will not be willing to let the 31-year-old go easily, as they recently tied him down with a new two-year contract, complicating a move to Spurs.

Speaking about the situation on the Last Word On Spurs podcast, Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Alasdair Gold said: "It’s a shame (Christian) Norgaard signed a new contract in March, because I think Frank will want a number six.

“I think that’s what he’ll really want for his system and he loves, loves Norgaard, he sees him as a lynchpin midfielder but also a real captain, a proper leader type in that dressing room.

“At 31, he’s not the age profile Spurs would go for either, but I think he was quite an underrated player last season in the Premier League. But I just wonder whether that new contract messes up that idea.”

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