‘I suspect’: Sports lawyer rates Morgan Gibbs-White’s chances of Nottingham Forest exit to Tottenham
Morgan Gibbs-White’s future at Nottingham Forest has become increasingly uncertain as the saga surrounding his potential move to Tottenham Hotspur continues to unfold.
What once appeared to be a straightforward release clause-triggered transfer has now spiraled into a dispute between clubs, raising questions about legal boundaries, player intent, and financial maneuvering.
Evangelos Marinakis, Forest’s owner, has taken a firm stance against the manner in which Tottenham approached the deal, expressing anger over what he perceives as a breach of confidentiality regarding the midfielder’s £60 million release clause.
This revelation has added significant tension to an already sensitive situation, with Forest disputing the legitimacy of how Spurs became aware of the clause in the first place.
Amid the ongoing back-and-forth, Forest fans have found themselves divided. While some remain hopeful of retaining Gibbs-White, many others see his refusal to engage in contract extension talks as a sign that his time at the City Ground is coming to a natural end.
His reluctance to renegotiate terms effectively keeps the release clause intact, allowing outside clubs to continue circling.
Despite the uncertainty, Gibbs-White has returned to training with Forest during pre-season, although his involvement feels more like a temporary obligation than a long-term commitment.
Sources within both clubs reportedly believe the transfer will eventually be completed, regardless of the legal and contractual obstacles still looming in the background.
Prominent finance and legal figures have weighed in, offering perspective on how this situation could resolve.
Sports finance expert Stefan Borson previously indicated that Spurs may be forced to go beyond the £60 million release clause, using an overpayment as a way to settle any potential legal conflict initiated by Marinakis.
His view suggests a financial resolution could smooth the path forward, even if the process is unconventional.
Adding weight to that theory, sports lawyer Mo Pasricha spoke to talkSPORT, predicting a likely outcome where Spurs ultimately secure their target.
Drawing from his professional experience, Pasricha believes that, despite the complexities, Tottenham will find a way to complete the deal. He emphasized that the handling of the sensitive clause information will be pivotal, but his instinct is that Spurs will emerge successful.
Within the Forest dressing room, the writing appears to be on the wall. Gibbs-White had been heavily linked with Manchester City at the close of the previous season, and his teammates had already anticipated his departure.
That sense of inevitability lingers, with recent pre-season tactical shifts under Nuno Espírito Santo further hinting at life without the dynamic midfielder. Forest’s setup in their opener against Chesterfield—a more conventional 4-3-3—looked noticeably different, perhaps designed to prepare for his exit.
While Marinakis remains defiant, the surrounding circumstances suggest a parting of ways would serve all parties. Gibbs-White has shown little interest in staying, Tottenham are willing to push hard to get their man, and Forest, whether publicly or privately, seem to be preparing for a future without him.
Pasricha’s belief that the move will happen aligns with the trajectory of events, signaling that it’s less a matter of if and more a question of when.