Nottingham Forest are furious with Tottenham Hotspur over their approach for Morgan Gibbs-White – but does that mean the deal is dead?
Will Gibbs-White still follow Anthony Elanga out of the Forest exit door? And who is on their way in?
Forest’s transfer business so far extends only to Botafogo pair Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha – good prospects, undoubtedly, but with Elanga gone and Gibbs-White’s future so uncertain, more will be needed.
Here, our Forest expert TOM COLLOMOSSE tells you everything you need to know about the club’s transfer dealings.
What is the latest on Gibbs-White?
Gibbs-White reported to the Forest training ground as planned on both Monday and Tuesday, and Mail Sport understands he held talks with club officials on Monday morning, before working with his team-mates afterwards.
The England midfielder’s position is thought to be unchanged: he is open to leaving Forest and remains interested in a move to Tottenham, where Champions League football is on offer.
Morgan Gibbs-White is still open to leaving Nottingham Forest and joining Tottenham
Don’t forget that this is a World Cup year. Though he showed excellent form for his club, it is thought England boss Thomas Tuchel is not yet sold entirely on Gibbs-White – certainly not enough to make him an automatic pick for the tournament.
Strong performances for a Champions League club might change that.
Is the Tottenham deal dead?
Under these precise terms, yes. The £60m deal was dramatically halted when Forest threatened to report Spurs to the Premier League for an alleged ‘illegal’ approach.
The 25-year-old has a release clause which Spurs are thought to have triggered, but Forest were furious with their approach and accused them of effectively ‘tapping up’ the player.
But make no mistake – Gibbs-White has not given up hope of joining Spurs this summer. The north London club have not abandoned the deal either and ultimately, Forest are still willing to sell, for the right price.
Spurs’ approach to negotiations has riled Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and there will have to be movement on both sides for this to be revived. Don’t bet against it, though.
Despite the current uncompromising tone, who knows how Forest might react if Spurs – or another club – submit an improved offer for their playmaker? They would be foolish not to consider it.
Marinakis is a formidable negotiator and if there is something Forest can do to turn this situation to their advantage, they will do it.
In a World Cup year, Gibbs-White will be keen to be front and centre of Thomas Tuchel’s thinking
What is behind Forest’s robust stance?
Mail Sport was told in January that Gibbs-White was resisting formal contract discussions, even though Forest were prepared at least to double his £60,000-a-week salary and make him the club’s highest-paid player.
Having included a £60million release clause in Gibbs-White’s contract when signing him from Wolves in summer 2022, Forest felt his value in 2025 exceeded that, hence their determination to agree new terms and alter the clause. There was frustration that these talks never left the runway.
Also, consider the context. In the week that Forest fans had seen Newcastle’s £55m bid for Elanga accepted, they thought Gibbs-White was also heading for the exit.
Perhaps for the first time since the club considered sacking Steve Cooper in autumn 2022, there was genuine alarm among the fanbase, with many fearing that the team that looked a shoo-in for the Champions League for large part of last season, was disintegrating before their eyes.
Now their focus is on the actions of Spurs and Gibbs-White’s desire to leave, rather than Forest’s transfer policy.
When Elanga returns to the City Ground with Newcastle next season, he will probably receive a decent reception. Right now, it might be more difficult for Forest fans to treat Gibbs-White in the same way.
Anthony Elanga had only just gone through the exit door when the Gibbs-White news broke
How is the squad reacting?
Towards the end of last season, Mail Sport understands most Forest players expected Gibbs-White to join Manchester City and some even hoped it would be done quickly, as the noise was starting to become a distraction.
There was genuine surprise when City did not initially follow through their interest, though there has always been an expectation, too, that at least one of Elanga or Gibbs-White would leave – and possibly both.
Instead, City plumped for the duo of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders, paying around £70m for the pair – only £10m more than Gibbs-White’s release clause alone.
The new deals for Neco Williams and Ola Aina were important pieces of business but Mail Sport understands some in the squad have concerns about whether last season’s playing style – cede possession and strike on the counter-attack – can be as effective in the season ahead, particularly without Elanga’s speed on the flanks.
Forest’s players were expecting Gibbs-White to go to Manchester City this summer
If Gibbs-White does leave, will any more key men depart?
Forest’s intention would be keep all the major players who remain, such as Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and, most importantly of all, Murillo.
Hudson-Odoi’s advisors held talks with Forest officials in Greece earlier this month and with only a year left on his deal, time is of the essence if Forest wish to avoid losing him for free in 12 months’ time.
Murillo will always be linked with top clubs as he continues his rise as one of the world’s best young centre backs
Mail Sport understands that clubs across Europe continue to express interest in Murillo though Forest do not welcome offers and would set the price extremely high.
Keep an eye on the 23-year-old, though – as happy as he is in Nottingham, Murillo is keen one day to play in the Champions League, and he has drawn interest from Real Madrid in the past. It is clear he is destined for the top.
Either way, Forest’s smart transfer dealings mean they have plenty of high-value players, with Murillo and Anderson leading the way.
What about signings?
Forest have a way to go to meet City’s demands for England Under 21s captain James McAtee
Forest have a long-standing interest in Manchester City attacking midfielder James McAtee though there is currently some ground to make up, with McAtee valued at about £40m by City and about only £25m by Forest. The 22-year-old also has interest from the Bundesliga, notably from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Then, it is all about wingers, though Forest are struggling to land their targets.
Johan Bakayoko appears ready to move to RB Leipzig from PSV Eindhoven, while his fellow Belgian Malick Fofana, who plays for cash-strapped Lyon, is waiting to see which Champions League clubs approach him.
Juventus winger Timothy Weah did not fancy a move to Forest and the trail also went cold on his team-mate Samuel Mbangula.
