The sudden Tottenham Hotspur swoop for Morgan Gibbs-White has left Nottingham Forest reeling, as the club was actively planning to build their entire attacking strategy around the young midfielder. News that Spurs triggered his £60 million release clause arrived as a shock. Meanwhile, Manchester City were also prepared to make a move. This development creates a major strategic headache for Steve Cooper at the City Ground.
Forest’s frustration with Morgan Gibbs-White situation
⚪️ BREAKING: Morgan Gibbs-White to Tottenham, here we go! Spurs trigger £60m release clause after direct contact with Forest today.
Medical booked and set to take place in 24h, as @TeleFootball @mcgrathmike reported.
Follows Kudus deal done, massive moves for Spurs project pic.twitter.com/Bai5xP5OdN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2025
Forest are understandably frustrated with how quickly Tottenham moved to secure Gibbs-White. The club believed he was central to their plans. They felt confident in his ability to lead their attack, especially after losing Elanga. Furthermore, Nottingham Forest did not publicly acknowledge the existence of a release clause in his contract, adding to the club’s frustration.
According to TBR Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, Forest considered Gibbs-White the cornerstone of their team. Losing him represents a significant setback. “I am told Forest are frustrated with how this has played out,” Bailey stated. “They never denied a clause, but they never confirmed it.” Moreover, the player’s agents actively engaged with other clubs, facilitating Tottenham’s swift acquisition.
Tottenham’s close agent relationship helps seal deal
Tottenham’s strong relationship with Gibbs-White’s agents proved crucial in securing the transfer. This pre-existing connection gave Spurs a significant advantage. Consequently, they were able to quickly finalize the deal. The speed and efficiency of Tottenham’s approach caught Forest off guard. As a result, they were powerless to prevent Gibbs-White’s departure.
Manchester City’s interest ultimately rejected
Despite serious interest from Manchester City, Gibbs-White prioritized a move to Tottenham. City were reportedly prepared to match any offer made by Spurs. However, Gibbs-White made it clear that his preferred destination was North London. This unwavering desire to join Tottenham ultimately swayed the decision. Subsequently, other interested clubs withdrew from negotiations.
“There were multiple clubs in talks,” Bailey confirmed, “but Morgan Gibbs-White made it clear he wanted Tottenham. Man City were ready to match any deal, but player wants Spurs. That’s also why other clubs did not step up.” As a result, Ange Postecoglou has landed another impressive addition to his squad.
Final thoughts
The loss of Morgan Gibbs-White is a bitter pill for Nottingham Forest to swallow. While they secured a substantial fee, replacing his creativity and influence will be a major challenge for Steve Cooper. Meanwhile, Tottenham have acquired a talented and versatile player who could significantly boost their Champions League ambitions. The transfer saga highlights the ruthless nature of modern football, where long-term plans can be shattered in an instant.
