Tottenham ready to pay asking fee for “underrated” star along with Gibbs-White

Tottenham Hotspur remain actively involved in the summer transfer market as they navigate a tense and drawn-out battle for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.

The saga surrounding the England midfielder has taken a dramatic turn, as Forest blocked his move despite Gibbs-White reportedly being scheduled for a medical at Hotspur Way over a week ago.

The Midlands club has gone as far as issuing legal threats to both Tottenham and the player’s representatives, claiming an illegal approach was made for their 25-year-old star.

This abrupt intervention has put the transfer on ice, though the North London side have not abandoned hope.

Chairman Daniel Levy was reportedly prepared to activate Gibbs-White’s £60 million confidential release clause before Forest’s dramatic response stalled proceedings.

With uncertainty clouding the deal, Tottenham now wait for developments, believing they can still secure his signature to add to their list of signings which already includes Mathys Tel, Kota Takai, and Mohammed Kudus.

While Forest remain adamant about retaining the midfielder, his return to training has added yet another unpredictable twist.

BBC Radio Nottingham’s Colin Fray observed that most insiders expected the move to be finalized by now and not many thought Gibbs-White would return to the Forest training camp. Forest, however, appear firm in their stance, unwilling to be rushed or forced into a quick resolution.

As the Gibbs-White transfer stalls, Tottenham have not stood still. The club is already pursuing multiple targets across key areas of the pitch in a bid to strengthen Thomas Frank’s squad before the window slams shut on September 1.

Reinforcements in midfield and defense have been prioritized. The club is eyeing a new holding midfielder, and talks have reportedly taken place with representatives of Bayern Munich’s João Palhinha.

In addition, Juventus’ Douglas Luiz is said to be keen on a Premier League return just a year after his departure from Aston Villa, and Spurs may soon act on that interest.

In defense, Tottenham are targeting Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi. Despite competition from Paris Saint-Germain—who have had several bids rejected up to £52 million—Spurs are prepared to go beyond the £60 million mark to meet Bournemouth’s valuation.

The club believes that if Zabarnyi is open to a move to North London over Paris, they have a real chance. Reports suggest the 22-year-old is high on Frank’s wish list, with the defender viewed as a key upgrade at the back.

His performances last season, where he played a pivotal role in Bournemouth’s impressive push for European qualification, turned heads across the league.

Pundit Jamie Redknapp described Zabarnyi as “probably the most underrated player,” while former Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko also expressed confidence in his fellow countryman’s future, highlighting his aggressive defending, composure under pressure, and technical ability.

Zabarnyi’s stock has risen quickly, and with Spurs willing to outbid PSG, the ball may soon be in the player’s court.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s current crop continues to perform at a high level, with several players maintaining strong match averages throughout the 2024/25 Premier League season. Here’s a quick snapshot of the club’s top performers:

This solid foundation makes the pursuit of top-tier reinforcements even more important. With Spurs pushing for Champions League qualification and a potential title charge, the final weeks of the transfer window promise to be critical. Whether the Gibbs-White standoff gets resolved or alternative signings like Zabarnyi and Palhinha are completed, Tottenham’s ambition under Thomas Frank and Daniel Levy remains unmistakable.