Chris Wood reacts to Nottingham Forest’s ‘statement of intent’ after surprise deal agreed
Nottingham Forest have completed arguably their biggest signing of the summer as Chris Wood congratulated his “partner”.
With a Europa League campaign on the horizon after UEFA elevated Forest from the Conference League into Crystal Palace’s place on the continent, Nuno Espirito Santo has been trying to bulk up his squad.
Attacking reinforcements to complement Wood up front have been top of the agenda for Forest so far this summer, with Igor Jesus signed in a £10million deal from Botafogo alongside team-mate Jair Cunha.
Much of Forest’s attention has instead been on keeping their best players, however, after Anthony Elanga sealed a £55m move to Newcastle United and Spurs launched an attempt to sign Morgan Gibbs-White.
Tottenham had looked to trigger Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause, but Evangelos Marinakis refused to relent on his position that the playmaker wasn’t for sale and has now sealed a massive breakthrough.
Morgan Gibbs-White signs new Nottingham Forest contract
Marinakis threatened a lawsuit after accusing Tottenham of an “illegal approach” for Gibbs-White, as the transfer hit an impasse despite Spurs believing they had triggered the Forest number 10’s release clause.
Gibbs-White’s form had also attracted attention from Chelsea and Manchester City, but the 25-year-old has now performed a U-turn on his potential exit by surprisingly signing a new three-year contract with Forest.
Forest posted an image of Gibbs-White alongside Marinakis on their official Instagram page (26 July) to announce; “A statement of intent from our owner Evangelos Marinakis, as Morgan Gibbs-White signs a record deal at the Club until the summer of 2028.”
Numerous Reds players responded by liking the post, while Wood left a comment to say; “And the journey continues – congrats partner”.
Gibbs-White transfer saga still not over at Nottingham Forest
Football Insider Verdict
Although Gibbs-White‘s new deal may be enough to ward off Tottenham’s interest for the time being, there’s little doubt that the Premier League’s big-hitters won’t be put off by this temporary setback.
Gibbs-White’s contract running until 2028 means that next summer immediately becomes the optimum time to sell him for maximum value, though Marinakis has made clear that he has no intention to do so.
Tottenham fans won’t be happy with the way their pursuit of Gibbs-White has come to an end, but unless Forest’s upward trajectory continues, expect Spurs and several other clubs to continue keeping tabs on the England playmaker.