Exclusive: Nottingham Forest to refuse to do business with Tottenham for Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest “won’t want to do business” with Tottenham after the meltdown that took place after Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause was triggered.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the only way a deal gets done for the 25-year-old is if Spurs “increase their fee substantially”.
Tottenham triggered Gibbs-White’s £60million release clause on 10 July and looked to be ready to tie up a deal for the England international in time for their pre-season campaign.
However, all hell was let loose when Forest accused Spurs of obtaining knowledge of the midfielder’s buy-out clause illegally.
Since then, there has been no sign of a renewed deal for the 25-year-old, although finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider he expected Tottenham to secure Gibbs-White’s signature by paying an extra £10m.
Nottingham Forest don’t want to talk to Tottenham
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley, a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, explained the transfer’s situation with things at a standstill.
The finance expert said, when asked whether a deal was still on the table, that he thought Forest would be uninterested in doing business with the North London side.
Plumley explained: “Tricky one, isn’t it? I think he’s with the squad now in Portugal; he agreed to fly out late.
“So, he’s with Nottingham Forest as we’re talking right now. I guess if you look at the Forest to Tottenham piece with where they started, it stands to reason that Forest probably won’t want to do business with Spurs on this one, given how Forest feels like they’ve approached the player without Forest’s consent.
“I think you would get a block there between Forest wanting to do business with Spurs on this player, unless Spurs increase their fee substantially, then that’s up for debate.
“That’s the situation with the club side of things.”
Nottingham Forest struggling to make secure signings
Part of the Tricky Trees’ strong desire to retain Gibbs-White’s services no matter what this summer is likely linked to their struggles to find replacements.
Forest were targeting a deal for Man City midfielder James McAtee, but Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively that the 22-year-old was more interested in a move to the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Timothy Weah has completed a move to Marseille, and Johan Bakayoko joined RB Leipzig, despite both players having offers on the table from Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side.
Without the ability to sign top-level replacements, Forest will have little interest in parting ways with their best players.