Nottingham Forest ‘persuading’ Gibbs-White to stay
According to GiveMeSport, Nottingham Forest is attempting to hold onto Morgan Gibbs-White despite Tottenham
Hotspur’s ongoing interest. Thomas Frank views the midfield player, who was instrumental in Forest’s successful
season the previous year, as a top target.
In an attempt to obtain the England international’s long-term commitment, Forest is reportedly draughting a fresh
contract offer. The club wants to get rid of a £60 million release clause that has competitors interested. But
according to GiveMeSport, Forest has “struggled for over a year” to persuade Gibbs-White to stay longer.
Now, things have gotten worse. Concerns about how the North London club learnt about the provision have been
raised by Forest in a letter to Tottenham. The team feels that Spurs cannot legally obtain that information unless it
was provided by Forest directly.
“It’s not uncommon for clauses to be kept secret, and players are sometimes bound by terms not to breach
confidentiality,” according to GiveMeSport. According to reports, Forest has brought up the matter with the Premier
League and is considering taking legal action.
Tottenham aim for swift resolution
Tottenham is still committed to acquiring Gibbs-White in spite of the legal warning. They are “hoping to resolve the
situation this week,” the article states. Last week, a medical was planned, but it has stopped as Spurs consider their
options.
The player is reportedly amenable to a transfer, but Forest is refusing to back down. They have stated unequivocally
that Tottenham cannot get in touch with Gibbs-White without official authorisation. Now, the North London club’s
pursuit depends on how they react to the possible court case.
Comparison made with Olise situation
There are echoes of the Michael Olise case, where Chelsea believed they had triggered his clause, only for Crystal
Palace to contest the process. Olise ultimately signed a new deal before later joining Bayern Munich. Forest are
clearly hoping for a similar outcome in their efforts to keep Gibbs-White.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
Morgan Gibbs-White has been transformative since his arrival, and letting him go now, just as Forest are building
momentum, would send the wrong message.
By insisting on keeping their end of the bargain and even taking legal action, Forest has demonstrated a level of
fortitude that we haven’t typically seen. Supporters will be pleased to see the club persevering because it is
unacceptable to consider that another team might exploit a release clause through unofficial means.
Although £60 million is a substantial sum, the player’s contribution to the project is equally important. Someone like
Gibbs-White is difficult to replace. He has demonstrated loyalty, understands the club, and suits Forest’s style. They
must continue to prioritise people like him if they want to advance as a team.
Offering a new deal and removing the clause is smart business. Forest must hold firm. If Spurs want him, they
should go through the proper channels or move on. This one could still get messy, but Forest look ready for the fight.
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