Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White has ended in disappointment, following a tense standoff with Nottingham Forest that left the deal in shambles. Despite Spurs activating the midfielder’s £60 million release clause, Forest strongly pushed back, accusing the London club of violating protocol by approaching the player without proper clearance.
Forest filed a formal complaint with the Premier League, claiming Tottenham breached Rule T.1, which prohibits direct contact with a player under contract without written permission from their club. The situation escalated quickly, with Forest threatening legal action and expressing frustration that Spurs knew the exact release clause figure—implying a potential leak or tampering.
While Tottenham expected a straightforward deal once the clause was met, Forest dug in their heels. To make matters worse for Spurs, Gibbs-White remained loyal to Forest, continued with preseason training, and ultimately signed a new long-term deal, putting an end to any hopes of a move to North London.
The failed transfer is a blow to Tottenham’s summer plans and serves as a reminder that legal procedures and relationships still matter in football negotiations. For now, Spurs must regroup and look elsewhere, while Forest celebrate a major win—both on and off the pitch.
