Nottingham Forest have issued a formal legal warning to Tottenham Hotspur and the agent of Morgan Gibbs-White, accusing both parties of breaching Premier League regulations. The conflict centers around Tottenham’s alleged approach to the midfielder without Forest’s consent, despite triggering a £60 million release clause in his contract.
Allegations of improper conduct
Forest claim that Spurs initiated contact with Gibbs-White and his representatives before receiving written permission, which violates league rules. The club also believes confidential details of the player’s contract were leaked, particularly the release clause, which has intensified their response.
Letters have been sent to both Tottenham and Gibbs-White’s agent, placing them on legal notice and outlining the specific breaches. Forest are prepared to pursue the matter through the Premier League and, if necessary, the courts.
Gibbs-White’s position and Forest’s stance
Gibbs-White returned to pre-season training with Forest, but his future remains uncertain. He has reportedly declined to engage in contract renewal talks for nearly a year, suggesting a desire to move on. Forest had hoped to offer him a new deal that would remove the release clause and make him one of the club’s highest earners.
Despite his reluctance, Forest are determined to retain the midfielder, especially after the recent £55 million sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle. Losing another key player would be a significant blow to their ambitions.
Tottenham’s transfer strategy and next steps
Tottenham, under new manager Thomas Frank, are actively rebuilding their squad and view Gibbs-White as a crucial addition. They have already signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham and remain interested in completing the Gibbs-White deal. However, communication between the clubs has ceased, and Spurs may need to offer more than the release clause to reopen negotiations.
