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A new report has hypothesised one possible reason why Tottenham’s move for Morgan Gibbs-White could be being held up, as the Lilywhites and Nottingham Forest are engaged in a battle of brinkmanship.

Nottingham Forest are furious that Spurs knew of Gibbs-White’s confidential £60m release clause and are demanding to know how they did when they were not permitted to speak to the midfielder or his representatives.

While the outcome is still expected to end in Tottenham’s favour, reports indicate that Forest are not backing down and are determined to hold onto Morgan Gibbs-White.

Some Spurs fans have questioned if it’s time for Tottenham to move on from Gibbs-White, given that the saga has now dragged on for nearly a week, with no end in sight.

Gibbs-White remaining at Nottingham Forest raises questions about the deal

One interesting detail about this transfer is the fact that Morgan Gibbs-White is continuing to train with Nottingham Forest.

It is not a case of the Midlands club appealing after the transfer had been completed by the Lilywhites, as we have seen with other controversial moves in the past.

The Sun suggest that the fact that Gibbs-White is still at Forest raises the question of whether all the conditions of the release clause have been met by the North Londoners.

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It is explained that some release clauses are not as simple as just paying a specific figure and also involve certain conditions, such as a payment plan or stipulation on who the buying club is.

The report says that in theory, if Spurs have not met all of those conditions, it would mean that Gibbs-White’s release clause had not been activated.

The outlet suggests that such a scenario would add further weight to Forest’s claims of a breach of confidentiality and could explain why the transfer is currently in limbo.

In short, if there are a series of very detailed and exact terms in the release clause and Tottenham suddenly triggered them all, it would certainly add weight to the argument that they had prior knowledge of confidential information. Of course, this is all just hypothetical for the time being.

Morgan Gibbs-White could force a move to Tottenham

It has been pointed out by several outlets that Gibbs-White is now within his rights to force a move to Tottenham if his release clause had indeed been met by the North London club.

However, according to some sources, Gibbs-White has no intention of agitating for a move to Spurs as he does not want to destroy his relationship with Forest.

It has now come to light that Nottingham Forest were on the verge of striking a part-exchange deal with Manchester City involving Morgan Gibbs-White before Tottenham activated the midfielder’s release clause last week.

Nottingham Forest have accused Tottenham of an illegal approach for Gibbs-White after Spurs activated the 25-year-old’s £60m release clause.

The Midlands club are demanding to know how the North London club knew of the confidential clause when they were not given permission to speak to the player or his agent.

While the outcome is expected to end in Spurs’ favour, the issue for Tottenham Hotspur is that the Premier League have not given a timeline for the Gibbs-White dispute, and it is thus unclear how long this matter can drag on.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to Man City was hijacked by Tottenham

Football Insider now claim that the England international was close to completing a move to Man City before Tottenham entered the equation.

The outlet says that Forest were in talks with City over a deal that would have seen Gibbs-White go to Manchester in exchange for cash plus City starlet James McAtee.

The transfer was close to being finalised, and Forest were confident that they would land McAtee, but Tottenham then activated Gibbs-White’s release clause.

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The former Wolves man changed his mind and gave the green light to join Spurs before the move was dramatically halted by Forest’s legal challenge.

The report asserts that it was Gibbs-White’s U-turn over his future that made Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis very angry.

Tottenham can hand Nottingham Forest a double blow

A number of sources continue to indicate that Forest’s legal challenge will not stop Gibbs-White from joining Tottenham, and is only expected to temporarily halt the transfer.

Additionally, it has been reported by some outlets that Spurs are also big admirers of James McAtee.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has no intention of backing down from the legal battle he has initiated with Tottenham Hotspur regarding Morgan Gibbs-White.

Morgan Gibbs-White was expected to become a Tottenham player last Friday after the North London club activated the attacking midfielder’s £60m release clause.

However, as Spurs fans will be well aware, the Gibbs-White deal has descended into a legal stand-off with Nottingham Forest.

While reports continue to indicate that Tottenham remain confident of landing Gibbs-White, it has now emerged that the Midlands club are extremely motivated to do everything in their power to stop the transfer.

Evangelos Marinakis is prepared to lose money to stop Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham

Sky Sports News have now revealed that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is prepared to lose significant sums of money to defend his position that Spurs made an alleged illegal approach to the midfielder.

The Tricky Trees maintains that there has been a breach of confidentiality as Tottenham Hotspur found out about the England international’s release clause.

The report adds that Spurs are still keen on completing a deal for Gibbs-White and maintain that they are prepared to pay the player’s release clause.

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The outlet says that so far, the North London side have not shown any intention of bidding over the midfielder’s release clause in order to try and appease Forest.

Nottingham Forest are prepared to offer Gibbs-White a pay rise

Sky Sports claim Forest are prepared to offer a new deal to the former Wolves man, which would make him one of the highest earners at the club if he decides to stay.

In fact, Marinakis has been trying for almost a year to open negotiations with Gibbs-White on a new contract and to remove his release clause.

However, the 25-year-old Tottenham target has refused to engage in talks over a new deal at the City Ground so far.

It has been suggested that the ongoing legal battle between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest over Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to end favourably for the North London club, but there is one problem for Thomas Frank’s men.

According to reports, Nottingham Forest are continuing to dig their heels in over Morgan Gibbs-White and seemingly have no intention of changing their stance.

In fact, some Spurs fans have already had enough of the Gibbs-White saga and have urged the club to move on to other alternatives.

Gibbs-White has begun pre-season training with Nottingham Forest as he hopes for a resolution between the two clubs.

Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to become a Spurs player

Football Insider have now said that this saga is very likely to end with the England international holding up a Tottenham shirt.

The outlet claims that Gibbs-White is keen on a move to Spurs, and despite Forest’s best attempts, they can do very little to stop it, given that the player’s release clause has been activated.

However, they do say that Forest’s complaint about Tottenham Hotspur’s alleged illegal approach is expected to hold up the deal.

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It is asserted that the deal is expected to be finalised by the end of the transfer window, and the report adds that Gibbs-White has grounds to force a move to N17.

Why this hold-up is a big problem for Tottenham

It has been widely reported over recent days that Gibbs-White will not agitate for an exit from the City Ground as he does not sully his relationship with the club.

Some sources have also revealed that Thomas Frank wants Gibbs-White in his squad before Tottenham fly out for their pre-season tour of Asia on July 28.

The Lilywhites might thus not want to wait until the latter stages of the transfer window for this to go through, and it is plausible that they give up on the deal and turn their attention to other alternatives.

While the legal battle over Morgan Gibbs-White continues to drag on between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, the Tricky Trees are now sending signs that they expect to lose the attacking midfielder.

Gibbs-White has begun pre-season training with Nottingham Forest as a legal battle rages on between his club and Spurs regarding his proposed switch to Hotspur Way.

Forest are furious that Spurs knew of Gibbs-White’s confidential release clause and are demanding to know how they found out when they were not allowed to speak to the midfielder or his agent.

However, a few days ago, it emerged that Forest had already started scouring the market for a replacement for Gibbs-White, and had explored a move for Botafogo attacking midfielder Thiago Almada.

Nottingham Forest express interest in Leicester midfielder

A new report in Football Insider has also backed up the claim about Nuno Espirito Santo’s men being on the lookout for a new number ten.

The outlet claims that Forest have now set their sights on Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss, who was one of the few shining lights in what was a disastrous 2024-25 season for the Foxes, which ended in relegation.

It is asserted that the Midlands club see the Moroccan international as someone who can replace the creativity of Gibbs-White and offers similar ball-carrying ability in the attacking third.

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The fact that Forest are pursuing number tens suggests that they do not have much hope of keeping the England international at the club.

Morgan Gibbs-White is still not guaranteed to join Tottenham

The fact that Nuno’s men are looking to sign a number ten does not mean that the 25-year-old is on his way to Tottenham Hotspur, even if it is a bit of a hint.

In fact, reports over recent days have continued to insist that Forest are determined to do what they can to stop Gibbs-White from joining Spurs.

However, with his release clause now becoming public information, another club will likely activate it this summer if the midfielder’s move to Tottenham does not materialise.

Former Everton and Manchester United forward, Louis Saha, has now made a bold 25/26 early-season Premier League title race prediction, and he believes Tottenham Hotspur could be among a select group of clubs battling it out for the title..

The Premier League season is only a few weeks away from kicking off, and every side, including Tottenham Hotspur, has a clear idea of who they are set to face on the opening day of the 2025/26 campaign.

Tottenham begin the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with a clash against newly promoted Burnley, before facing a stern early test against former champions Manchester City in matchday two – a mixed bag of fixtures that could quickly set the tone for the season.

However, with new boss Thomas Frank now at the helm, the Lilywhite faithful will be hoping for a far improved showing this time around, especially after last season’s woeful 17th-place finish, their worst ever in history.

Louis Saha backs Tottenham for title push alongside elite

With the new season fast approaching, former Everton and Manchester United forward Louis Saha has weighed in with his early title predictions.

According to the ex-France international, the 2025/26 title race could feature as many as six contenders, with Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all in the mix.

Saha referenced Spurs’ recent Europa League success as a possible springboard for domestic improvement, even though he admitted confusion over the club’s managerial change.

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Speaking to Boyle Sports, he said: “Arsenal have been competing with Manchester City and Liverpool so those three are in, I can see Newcastle, Chelsea and Spurs also being up there.

“Spurs won the Europa League and changed their manager, which I really do not understand, but they have potential as do Newcastle and I really respect what they did last year.

“I think we will see six teams fighting it out for the title, Manchester United are behind that.”

Tottenham fans will welcome Louis Saha’s prediction

Every Tottenham fan would love Saha’s prediction, which is far more optimistic than the recent supercomputer forecast that placed Spurs in the bottom half of the 2025/26 table.

While his take is flattering, it does feel slightly premature, as Spurs are yet to kick a ball under new head coach Thomas Frank.

The Dane’s first outing comes on 19 July in a pre-season friendly against Reading – a match that should offer a glimpse of what is to come under his stewardship.

Of course, the transfer window remains open, and depending on the quality of business Tottenham can do between now and deadline day, it is still far too early to make bold claims.

That said, a marked improvement on the 17th-place finish is non-negotiable, as anything less could well see the club dragged into a relegation scrap.

Ledley King has named one of Tottenham Hotspur’s most awe-inspiring signings, recalling how both teammates and opponents were star-struck by the legendary player.

Tottenham Hotspur have had plenty of iconic signings in their history, with the likes of Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov and Gareth Bale all making their mark at White Hart Lane.

However, former captain Ledley King has now revealed that one particular player, who arrived at Tottenham in the summer of 2005 on a free transfer following his release by Inter Milan, stood out in a very different way.

While his stay was brief, just two seasons, and silverware never followed, his presence is said to have left a lasting impact on the dressing room, according to the former Spurs captain.

Edgar Davids’ arrival left Tottenham players and opponents in awe

Speaking about Tottenham signing Edgar Davids, King revealed that he was in awe of the former Netherlands international, describing how the entire dressing room was star-struck – and how even opposing players could not help but stare.

The former Spurs captain further praised Edgar Davids’ winning mentality, detailing how his mere presence altered the dynamic within the Spurs squad. It was not about goals or assists, but rather the influence he had on those around him, raising the bar simply by being there.

Ledley King told OLBG: “Edgar was brilliant. When I look back on some of the biggest signings Tottenham made, I think Edgar is right up there for the impact that he had.

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“I remember the first time he walked into the building and the players were in awe of him. This is a guy that had been at the highest level, won everything, been in the adverts, then all of a sudden, he is in your building, you are speaking to him.

“I remember one of the first conversations we had was him asking me if we can win things. I was still quite a young captain, quite a young player at the time. That was the first player who ever came in and really spoke about winning things straight away.

“It had a big impression on me and the young players that we had at the football club. I always remember lining up in the tunnel with him and seeing the opposition players just looking at him, staring at him like ‘it is Edgar Davids’.

“As a player, you felt proud to have him in your team. Great guy, loved football. I have heard stories of him actually driving past cages where kids are playing and jumping out of his car and joining in with them.

“He was a player who had a lot of time for the younger players. He would stay after training and practice with them. So yes, Edgar was a great, great guy. Great personality and a great signing for the football club.”

Spurs could do with another Edgar Davids-type signing

Tottenham are currently in the middle of a transfer window and are actively looking to add experience to the squad as they aim to push on ahead of the new campaign.

Spurs will be hoping to find players with the same level of drive and focus that Davids brought – a player who arrived with a winning mentality and immediately started asking the right questions.

While Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest are involved in a legal battle over Morgan Gibbs-White’s future, the two clubs could now find themselves going head-to-head in the transfer market for another midfielder.

Most Spurs fans are well caught up on the unfolding Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga, with Forest launching a legal challenge against Tottenham for talking to the attacking midfielder without their permission.

Spurs remain confident of landing Gibbs-White despite Forest’s attempts to stop the deal, but in the meantime, the Midlands club are turning their attention to another of the Lilywhites’ midfield targets.

Various outlets have claimed over recent weeks that Tottenham were considering a move for Palmeiras star Richard Rios after watching him closely in the Club World Cup. Now, it has emerged that Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are turning their attention to the Colombian.

Nottingham Forest enter race to sign Tottenham target Richard Rios

Journalist Ben Jacobs has now taken to social media to reveal that several Premier League sides are now keen on landing Rios.

He states that Wolves are big fans of the South American star, but they are not expected to push ahead with a move as Palmeiras are demanding €30m-€35m (£26m-£30m) for their star man.

In fact, no offer has arrived at the Brazilian club for Rios so far this summer despite his list of admirers growing.

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Jacobs makes no mention of Tottenham Hotspur in his update, but interestingly, he reveals that Forest have now entered the race to sign the 25-year-old defensive midfielder.

A number six is a priority for Thomas Frank

Regular readers of Spurs Web will be aware that over recent days, a number of reports have backed Tottenham to land a number six after securing the Gibbs-White deal.

It has even been alleged by some sources that Thomas Frank has urged the Spurs hierarchy to sign Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, who is allegedly valued at upwards of £80m by the Eagles.

Tottenham Hotspur fans have gone into meltdown following Mohammed Kudus’ cheeky comment in his Spurs medical video.

Tottenham Hotspur have finally added some extra depth to their attack with the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for £55million.

The Ghana international, who grabbed a rather disappointing five goals and three assists in his last season at the London Stadium, would be hoping to improve on those numbers as he looks to help Tottenham compete in the Premier League following their 17th-place finish last season.

The 24-year-old is set to wear the number 20 shirt, just as he did at Ajax and still does with the Ghana national team – a number once worn by Dele Alli during his standout years in north London.

Mohammed Kudus sparks Tottenham excitement with West Ham dig

West Ham United fans were left fuming when Mohammed Kudus signed for Tottenham, with many labelling him a snake and even downplaying his achievements during his short stint in East London.

Tottenham supporters, however, have been left ecstatic, with many believing that Kudus will help improve their attack further this campaign, especially with Frank looking to build something more progressive in the final third.

In a video released by the official Spurs account, Kudus made a comment that has already endeared him to the Tottenham fanbase.

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When the doctor said, “Just going to listen to your heart, ok?” Kudus replied, “You’ll find Spurs there.” Those very words have now left Tottenham fans even more excited, particularly after he left West Ham for N17.

One fan said: “Oh, West Ham fans must hate him🤣” Another commented: “My head would be gone if I was a West Ham fan and I saw this.” A third Spurs fan stated: “Oh my god. I love him.” While another added: “I love him already. He is going to have the best season of his career under Frank. COYS.”

One more Tottenham supporter stated that Mohammed Kudus was well aware of what he was doing when he made those comments: “Naa this guy knows what he’s doing.”A final fan said: “He’s just trolling atp.”

Kudus could feature for Spurs vs Reading this week

There is a chance Tottenham fans see Mohammed Kudus live in the flesh in their first pre-season friendly against Reading this weekend.

Of course, he would not be the only new signing with a chance of featuring, as Kota Takai could also play after his recent move to N17.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, Tottenham fans would be hoping that the Lilywhites can begin to take more strides forward under his reign.

Alasdair Gold has predicted that Thomas Frank may do something unusual for Tottenham’s opening Premier League game against Burnley, given the difficult challenge that the Dane faces in the lead-up to the clash.

Although Tottenham face some challenging fixtures in the early part of their Premier League season, Frank could not have asked for a more straightforward start than taking on newly-promoted Burnley at home.

However, that will not be the Dane’s first competitive game in charge of the Lilywhites as there is a small matter of the UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain in Udine on August 13.

Tottenham have some good omens ahead of the PSG clash, but the Parisians go into the game as overwhelming favourites, given how they dominated last season’s Champions League and reached the finals of the Club World Cup.

Thomas Frank may be forced to make unusual decision for Burnley clash

Spurs Web has previously covered that Tottenham face an extremely tight turnaround after the Super Cup clash, with just three days between the game at Udine and their season opener.

Alasdair Gold has now pointed out that Frank might have just one day on the training ground to prepare for the clash against the Clarets.

As a result, the journalist suggested that the new Spurs head coach could decide to rotate his squad for their Premier League season opener, which Tottenham fans are never used to seeing.

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When asked about the clash against PSG and Burnley, Gold said in a Q&A on Football.London: “The PSG clash does look rather terrifying right now with the form they are in, but if Spurs can get Gibbs-White through the door with Kudus and some other statement signings before that August 13 game, then some nerves might be dulled.

“I’m also clinging to the fact that the Champions League winners reached the Club World Cup final, so will need to have the next three weeks off at least, meaning they will only return to training just days before the Super Cup in Udine. They might not be as sharp as we’re seeing them right now. That’s what I’m desperately clinging to anyway.

“As for the Burnley game, I do think some people are forgetting, or have not realised yet, how soon that game comes after the PSG match. Spurs will likely arrive back in the UK in the early hours of Thursday and will need to recover that day. They will only have Friday’s final light training session to prepare for the Premier League opener the next day.

“Frank is going to have to rotate his squad on the opening day of the season, which is something we’ve never had to see before and it does raise the chances of an upset, as we saw with Spurs’ games in the final months of last season as they focused on the Europa League. It will be an eye-opener for both him and us.”

Chelsea have given Tottenham Super Cup hope

In a funny twist of fate, Tottenham’s fierce rivals, Chelsea, have given Thomas Frank’s men hope of causing an upset against PSG in the Super Cup clash.

The Blues dismantled the Ligue 1 giants in the Club World Cup final, putting three past them and keeping a clean sheet, thus showing that the European champions are vulnerable on the counter-attack.

Frank would have undoubtedly watched that game closely, and his tactical plan against the Parisians could be similar to the one Enzo Maresca’s men employed on Saturday.