Tottenham recieves fresh Gibbs-White update as initial deadline proposed draws closer
Tottenham Hotspur’s Move for Morgan Gibbs-White Hits Major Roadblock Amid Forest Accusations and Legal Drama
Tottenham Hotspur’s ambitious push to sign Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White has taken a dramatic turn, casting serious doubt over what initially seemed like a straightforward transfer. The north London club had hoped to quickly seal a deal for the 25-year-old attacking midfielder, but a fresh wave of controversy and conflict has thrown the transfer into limbo.
More than a week has passed since Spurs triggered Gibbs-White’s £60 million release clause — a move that should, in theory, have unlocked the door for his departure. However, the situation has spiraled into one of the most contentious transfer sagas of the summer after Nottingham Forest accused Tottenham of making an illegal approach for their captain. These allegations have severely complicated negotiations, stalling progress despite Spurs’ willingness to meet the financial terms of the deal.
Tottenham had been on the verge of pulling off a headline-grabbing double swoop, having already confirmed the acquisition of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United. The simultaneous pursuit of Gibbs-White was supposed to further bolster Thomas Frank’s creative options heading into the 2025/26 season. But while Kudus is now preparing to link up with his new teammates, Gibbs-White’s move has hit a significant snag.
On Saturday, Gibbs-White featured in Forest’s pre-season friendly against AS Monaco. He came off the bench at halftime and was seen applauding supporters at the City Ground and making a heart-shaped gesture with his hands — a routine sign of appreciation he often shows to Forest fans. While some interpreted the moment as a possible farewell, those close to the player insist it was simply his usual way of connecting with the crowd.
Amidst the uncertainty, reports on Friday suggested that the England international had set an informal deadline for movement in negotiations — hoping for significant progress by Monday, the day Forest depart for their pre-season training camp in Portugal. That deadline now looms large, but according to The Athletic, Gibbs-White is still expected to travel with the squad.
Forest’s itinerary in Portugal includes two friendlies: the first against Premier League rivals Fulham on July 27, followed by a clash with Portuguese side Estoril Praia on July 30. If the midfielder boards the plane as expected, it would signal that Forest are in no rush to finalize his departure, even in the face of mounting pressure.
Behind the scenes, there are growing murmurs about whether Gibbs-White could legally push through a move to Tottenham, given that his release clause has already been met. Some believe the player might have the right to force the transfer, especially if Forest are obstructing his contractual rights.
However, respected journalist Ben Jacobs has poured cold water on that possibility — at least for now. According to Jacobs, Gibbs-White has no intention of forcing an exit or burning bridges with the club that made him captain. His loyalty to Forest, and the strong bond he shares with the fanbase, make him reluctant to take legal or confrontational steps, even if he is open to a move.
Not everyone sees it that way. Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has unleashed a furious tirade against Nottingham Forest, accusing them of disgraceful conduct and urging Gibbs-White to escalate matters legally. In a fiery outburst, O’Hara called on the player to seek help from the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association), sue the club, and boycott training until Forest honor the terms of his contract.
“Morgan Gibbs-White should go to the PFA, he should sue Nottingham Forest, and he should refuse to train,” O’Hara said bluntly. “The way Forest have handled this situation is absolutely disgusting. He has a £60 million release clause written into his contract — everyone knows it, and they all agreed to it when he signed. Now that it’s been triggered, they’re acting like it doesn’t exist.”
O’Hara went on to question Forest’s sudden stance that the clause is ‘confidential’ — an argument reportedly being used to support their accusations of an illegal approach. “What do they mean by confidential? This is a release clause in a contract — the player and his representatives are entitled to know about it, and to use it if the conditions are met. It happens all the time in football. Agents talk, clubs find out — that’s how deals work.”
The outspoken pundit then turned his criticism toward Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, accusing him of mishandling the situation and jeopardizing the club’s reputation. “Marinakis has had an absolute stinker here,” he said. “Forest are going to lose one of their best players for a price they themselves agreed to, just because he’s developed better than they expected. And now they want to rewrite the rules? It’s absurd.”
He added: “The player has done his part — he’s performed, he’s honored his contract, and now someone wants to pay the buyout fee. That’s football. You can’t cry foul just because the deal didn’t turn out in your favor.”
With Tottenham still optimistic about securing the transfer, all eyes are now on the next 48 hours. Will Forest allow Gibbs-White to leave on the terms previously agreed? Or will this saga spiral even further, potentially into a legal battleground?
As things stand, the midfielder’s professionalism and emotional ties to Forest may prevent him from taking drastic action. But if negotiations continue to stall, and Forest dig in their heels, Spurs may be forced to explore legal avenues or alternative targets.
In the meantime, Tottenham’s transfer team — led by new sporting director Johan Lange and manager Thomas Frank — must navigate this complex situation with care, knowing that the outcome could shape not only their midfield but also their credibility in the market.