Spurs have struck gold on “unbelievable” talent, he’s worth even more than Gibbs-White
Tottenham’s Transfer Strategy Paying Dividends Amid Gibbs-White Setback
Tottenham Hotspur’s recent activity in the transfer market has been nothing short of transformative. Over the past couple of seasons, the North London club has taken bold steps to restructure its squad with a sharper focus on long-term success — a strategy that ultimately played a vital role in ending their 17-year wait for silverware.
Key to this turnaround has been a recalibrated approach to recruitment. Rather than splashing out recklessly, Spurs have focused on acquiring promising young talents at modest prices, trusting in their ability to grow into top-level performers under the club’s guidance. This shift in philosophy has started to bear fruit and appears to be laying solid foundations for sustained success.
Two standout examples of this youth-centric strategy are Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall. Despite both being relatively young and still early in their professional journeys, the duo have already clocked a combined 100 appearances for the Lilywhites. Their development has served as a blueprint for the kind of smart investment Spurs hope will continue under new head coach Thomas Frank, who has been tasked with building a side capable of contending at the highest level in the Premier League and Europe.
Mixing Youth with Strategic Big-Money Moves
While Tottenham have clearly prioritised grooming young talents, they haven’t shied away from spending big when the right opportunity presents itself. Their recent £55 million acquisition of Ghanaian star Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United highlights their willingness to invest heavily in top-tier talent when it aligns with the club’s vision.
And Kudus may not be the only marquee arrival this summer. For several weeks, Spurs had been heavily linked with Nottingham Forest’s creative midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, widely viewed as a potential game-changer. The club reportedly activated the £60 million release clause in the 25-year-old’s contract, expecting the move to progress swiftly.
However, what initially seemed like a straightforward deal quickly became mired in controversy.
The Gibbs-White Transfer Saga: From Promise to Disappointment
The deal to bring Gibbs-White to North London hit an abrupt roadblock when Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, accused Tottenham of making an unauthorised approach. According to reports, Spurs engaged in discussions with the player and his representatives without securing prior consent from his current club — a move that sparked allegations of a “tapping-up” breach.
The situation cast a shadow over the potential transfer, and while Gibbs-White was reportedly keen on the switch, the uncertainty around the legality of the approach stalled negotiations indefinitely.
To further complicate matters, Gibbs-White subsequently reaffirmed his loyalty to Forest. He travelled with the team for their pre-season tour in Portugal and, to put an end to speculation, signed a contract extension that ties him to the City Ground until 2028. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the playmaker’s potential move to Spurs was officially “off,” closing the door on a transfer that had once looked inevitable.
Brennan Johnson’s Rise Proves Spurs Have Enough Firepower
While missing out on Gibbs-White is undoubtedly a setback for Tottenham’s recruitment team, there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic. One only needs to look at the meteoric rise of Brennan Johnson — a player who has rapidly become one of the club’s most valuable assets.
Johnson, who also joined from Nottingham Forest, signed for Spurs in the summer of 2023 for a reported £47.5 million. At the time, the fee raised eyebrows, especially considering the Welsh forward had just one full Premier League season under his belt. Yet the move has proven to be another masterstroke by the Tottenham hierarchy.
Since arriving at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Johnson has racked up 85 appearances and notched an impressive 23 goals. His most recent campaign was particularly eye-catching, with 18 goals across all competitions, including a historic winner in the Europa League final — a moment that etched his name into club folklore.
Despite enduring criticism early in his Tottenham career — so much so that he deactivated his social media due to online abuse — Johnson has bounced back strongly. Now 24 years old, his persistence, work ethic, and quality have all contributed to his evolution into a fan favourite and a crucial part of the squad.
According to CIES Football Observatory, Johnson’s current market value stands at an eye-watering €75 million (approximately £66 million) — a valuation that exceeds the £60 million release clause previously attached to Gibbs-White. This not only underlines his importance to the team but also vindicates Spurs’ decision to invest in him despite early skepticism.
Looking Ahead: Trusting the Process
As Tottenham continue their preparations for the 2025/26 season, Thomas Frank will be eager to build upon the club’s recent progress. While the failure to land Gibbs-White might be seen as a missed opportunity, Spurs have more than enough reason to believe in their current project.
The likes of Sarr, Bergvall, Kudus, and Johnson represent a core of young, dynamic players who can elevate the team’s performances under Frank’s leadership. And with further reinforcements expected before the transfer window closes, Spurs look well-positioned to mount a serious challenge in the league and on the European stage.
The idea of reuniting Johnson and Gibbs-White — who enjoyed a successful spell together at Forest — was undoubtedly enticing. But instead of being teammates once more, they’ll now find themselves on opposite sides of the pitch when Tottenham and Forest meet next season. For Spurs, the focus must now shift to identifying the next right fit — and if recent history is any indication, the recruitment team knows exactly what it’s doing.