‘It’s surprising’ – Nottingham Forest told Tottenham to pay extra £10m for Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest could have told Tottenham to pay an extra £10million to sign Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.
The England international had been heavily linked with Manchester City before they agreed deals for other targets.
Tottenham then moved to sign Gibbs-White last month as they looked set to trigger the £60million release clause in his contract.
A medical was scheduled to take place in north London before it emerged Forest were considering taking legal action against Spurs, with the focus around whether a specific confidentiality agreement in the release clause had been breached.
In a surprising turn of events, Gibbs-White has now signed a new contract at the City Ground until 2028.
After the deal was agreed, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis said: “There was significant interest from various clubs, but we were determined to build our future with Morgan at the heart of it.
“I promised our fans we would not only compete but grow stronger and stronger every season. Today is another big step in that journey.”
Gibbs-White has been a key player for Forest since joining in a £42.5million deal from Wolves in 2022.
The 25-year-old registered seven goals and 10 assists in 38 appearances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side last season.
Nottingham Forest have agreed ‘surprising’ Gibbs-White deal
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Gibbs-White revealed he is “excited for what’s to come” after penning his new deal as he believes Marinakis has “enormous” ambitions at the City Ground.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I think it’s surprising.
“But we talked about it before, where if Spurs wanted to buy him, they were going to have to pay the release clause plus effectively a supplement to deal with the dispute.
“I think the reality is that maybe the release clause was Tottenham’s limit on that deal and they were maybe told you can have him, but he’s going to cost you £70million, not £60million.
“I think Tottenham went we’re not buying him for £70million, we either can’t afford it or that’s not our valuation, our valuation is £60million and that’s it.
“I didn’t think that he was going to go for the release clause once it escalated.
“I thought there may be another element that was going to be required from Spurs, and obviously they weren’t interested in doing it.”
Nottingham Forest told £35m offer will be accepted
In terms of a potential incoming at the City Ground, Football Insider revealed on 3 August Forest have been told a £35million offer will be accepted for James McAtee.
Nuno’s side are believed to have seen a £25million bid rejected for the Man City academy product.
McAtee started in just nine games for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, where he registered seven goals in 27 appearances.
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