Tottenham Hotspur's £60million move to sign Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White appeared to be a real coup for the Champions League club - but now the deal is off, according to reports, with Forest believing that the north London club have 'illegally' approached their star midfielder.
News on Thursday afternoon stated that Tottenham were weighing up a move for the England international, before a real huge step took place that evening with further reports stating that his £60million release clause had been activated, with Fabrizio Romano giving the move his 'Here We Go!' treatment in what looked like a done and dusted capture.
Report: Morgan Gibbs-White Move to Tottenham Now 'Off'
The midfielder looked to be moving to London but he'll remain in the east Midlands for now
Morgan Gibbs-White
However, in yet another huge update in this fast-developing saga, a move is now off for the time being, with Forest 'cutting contact' with Thomas Frank's men in a bid to pull the plug on a move.
The report by Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett states that Forest consider the deal taking Gibbs-White to Tottenham as being off - with the east Midlands outfit consulting lawyers over what they believe to be an 'illegal' approach.
The Reds never gave permission for talks, and have now cut all communication with Frank's side. Although it's unlikely they can block a deal completely, any imminent move has been delayed and the transfer is now in jeopardy.
Gibbs-White has been one of Forest's best players for some time, having only missed eight of their Premier League games in the last three seasons - enduring his best season yet last time out with seven goals and 10 assists in the top-flight as Forest reached the Europa Conference League, only missing out on a Champions League place on the final day of the season.
But those performances have tempted clubs in Europe's premier cup competition, and his clause was activated by Daniel Levy prior to the weekend with a medical booked for Friday. Tottenham have already signed Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso permanently after their loan spells last season, whilst Mohammed Kudus landed permanently from West Ham United on Thursday for a £55million fee, with Frank evidently aiming to bolster their midfield ranks to secure another European place for next season.
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 11-07-25.
Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates Related
Tottenham trigger £60m release clause for Morgan Gibbs-White
Tottenham have triggered a £60m release clause in Morgan Gibbs-White's Nottingham Forest contract with the England international now expected to undergo a medical in the coming days. The 25-year-old scored seven goals and registered 11 assists as Forest qualified for Europe last season. The former Wolves midfielder was on Manchester City's shortlist of attacking options, before Pep Guardiola decided to opt for Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki. The Europa League champions have already signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55 million and are now set to back new boss Thomas Frank once again in the transfer market. Gibbs-White joined Forest from Wolves for a then-club-record fee of £25m plus add-ons in 2022. He has made 118 appearances in three years at the City Ground, scoring 18 goals and providing 28 assists.
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