Stefan Borson shares verdict on Gibbs-White’s Nottingham Forest legal dispute – ‘this is how it will end’
Morgan Gibbs-White will have to reach a settlement agreement with Nottingham Forest before he can leave the club.
The England international looked set to be on his way out of the club this summer, following interest from several Premier League giants.
Sources revealed to Football Insider that Man City were in talks over a deal for Gibbs-White that would have sent James McAtee in the opposite direction.
However, those broke down, and Gibbs-White instead reached an agreement to join Tottenham after the North London club triggered his release clause.
But things turned sour when Forest claimed that Spurs had illegally obtained knowledge of the 25-year-old’s release clause, and the deal is now on hold.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Stefan Borson explained that when Gibbs-White does eventually leave the City Ground, he will need to reach a settlement agreement with his current club, or the Tricky Trees may hold the midfielder accountable for a loss of profits, now that the buy-out clause in his contract is public knowledge.
Nottingham Forest, Gibbs-White must reach settlement
Borson explained to Football Insider exclusively what would happen in the scenario that another club comes in for Gibbs-White.
Whilst the midfielder’s release clause is public knowledge, the issue lies between Forest and their star man, as he may be held accountable by the club for a loss of earnings.
Asked if Gibbs-White may sue his current side, Borson said: “No, well, I think it’d be very difficult. The only way in which I can see that happening is if, let’s say, a third-party club comes in. So let’s say City, who were talking about the player right at the start of the summer, for whatever reason, they went and bought elsewhere, because players like Cherki were half the price, even of the release clause.
“But let’s say City were bidding £60m now, and for some reason, Forest say we still think you breached the confidentiality and therefore, no, we’re not playing ball, in that case, it could turn litigious and it could get messy.
“It wouldn’t get messy with a potential buyer, but it could get messy with the player because it’s not going to change the fact that the allegation from Nottingham Forest is that the player or their agent in some way conspired to breach the contract.
“And let’s say the release clause is triggered at £60m and City have a contractual right to the player at £60m, then of course it is easier for Nottingham Forest to specify what might be the loss, i.e. the difference between the price that Manchester City in that scenario would pay and the price that he might have been worth on the open market.
“You would think that might be £10m difference, and if it is a £10m difference, then Nottingham Forest could well say, well, we’re going to go after the player for £10m, because they breached contract, and of course, there’s a loss.
“And that would then get into the realms of the player saying, well, in that case, I won’t move until we resolve the situation and puts a club like Manchester City into the same position that Tottenham are in.
“So, look, any way around it, it now looks like there’s gonna have to be a three-way negotiation between the buyer, the player and Nottingham Forest.
“So, whoever the buyer is, whatever the terms of that deal are, Gibbs-White is going to have to leave Nottingham Forest with a settlement agreement, which states that Nottingham Forest are not going to pursue any claim for breach of contract or breach of confidentiality.
“That’s how it will end when Gibbs White leaves Nottingham Forest.”
Nottingham Forest lining up Gibbs-White replacements
Gibbs-White looks destined to leave this summer, despite the Tricky Trees’ best efforts to keep the England international.
With that in mind, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are already lining up replacements. Pete O’Rourke exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Forest are interested in Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss.
The Moroccan only joined the Foxes last summer, but is viewed as a talented and affordable option for several Premier League clubs.
Another option for Forest could be Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey. The Villains received a fine from UEFA for breaking their financial rules, and may have to cash in on some of their players this summer.