The transfer of Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest to Tottenham Hotspur seems to be off due to legal disputes, with Nottingham Forest alleging an illegal approach by Tottenham. Nottingham Forest is pursuing a legal suit, claiming Tottenham approached Gibbs-White without permission and may have breached confidentiality regarding his £60 million release clause. The situation is complex, with delays expected, though it's unclear if Forest can block the transfer entirely.
Morgan Gibbs-White, a 25-year-old attacking midfielder for Nottingham Forest and the England national team, has been a key player since joining Forest from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2022 for an initial £25 million, with his contract including a £60 million release clause. His impressive performance in the 2024/25 Premier League season, with 34 appearances, 7 goals, and 8 assists, helped Forest qualify for European competition, making him a target for top clubs. Tottenham Hotspur, under new head coach Thomas Frank, triggered this release clause, with plans for Gibbs-White to undergo a medical on Friday, July 11, 2025.
However, the transfer has encountered significant hurdles, leading to its current stalled state. This report explores the legal and procedural issues at play, drawing from multiple sources including Sky Sports, Tottenham Hotspur News, and the Nottingham Post.
Researches suggests that Nottingham Forest believes Tottenham made an unauthorized approach to Gibbs-White, which they consider illegal under transfer regulations. Also, there are concerns about a breach of confidentiality, as Tottenham's bid matched the exact release clause amount, potentially indicating unauthorized access to contract details.
Nottingham Forest has stopped all communication with Tottenham and is preparing a complaint to the Premier League. The evidence leans toward their frustration stemming from both the alleged illegal approach and the confidentiality breach, though the exact legal outcomes remain uncertain.
As of now, the transfer is delayed, with Gibbs-White's medical with Tottenham postponed. It seems likely that the legal proceedings will prolong the process, but whether Forest can block the deal entirely is still unclear.
The primary reason for the transfer being off appears to be Nottingham Forest's allegations of an illegal approach by Tottenham. According to reports, Forest believes Spurs approached Gibbs-White without obtaining the necessary permission, which is a breach of football transfer protocols. This unauthorized contact has led Forest to cease all communication with Tottenham, effectively halting the process. There is a concern regarding a breach of confidentiality. Reports indicate that Tottenham's bid was pitched at exactly £60 million, the amount of the release clause, which Forest finds suspicious. This precision suggests to Forest that there may have been unauthorized access to or disclosure of confidential contract details, potentially violating Premier League regulations on confidentiality.
The combination of these issues has delayed the transfer, with Gibbs-White's medical now postponed. While it is unlikely that Forest can block the transfer entirely due to the activated release clause, the legal action is expected to prolong the process, creating uncertainty around the deal's completion.
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