Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a setback in their pursuit of a key summer transfer target. The London club reportedly triggered the release clause of Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. However, a late intervention from Forest has scuppered the deal, leaving Spurs to reconsider their options.
Gibbs-White agrees new deal with Nottingham Forest
Spurs made an attempt to sign Mohammed Kudus earlier this summer, seemingly turning their attention to Gibbs-White. Reports then emerged that Tottenham had activated Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause. A medical was supposedly scheduled at Hotspur Way, indicating advanced negotiations.
However, Nottingham Forest lodged a complaint with the Premier League regarding Tottenham’s approach for the player. As a result, this action immediately stalled the proposed move to North London. It now appears Forest’s actions have been successful in retaining their star midfielder.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that Gibbs-White has agreed to a new contract with Nottingham Forest, extending his stay until 2028. This is a major blow to Tottenham’s transfer plans. The new contract is expected to remove the existing £60m release clause. It will undoubtedly increase the player’s overall valuation.
Tottenham’s transfer strategy faces scrutiny
The England international had two years remaining on his previous deal at the City Ground. Manchester City also considered him earlier in the summer. However, Gibbs-White will now remain with Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad. This comes as a major disappointment for Tottenham fans.
Many Spurs supporters will likely view the last two weeks of the Gibbs-White pursuit as a waste of time and resources. News of the new contract represents a significant setback for the club. It might also be viewed as an embarrassing outcome for the North London outfit.
With Tottenham seemingly withdrawing their interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who is reportedly close to joining Arsenal, they now face a challenging situation. The club might need to completely reassess their transfer strategy.
Spurs seek midfield reinforcements ahead of new season
Tottenham are scheduled to fly to Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon. So far, only Mohammed Kudus has arrived through the door. Discounting deals for Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso, some may view this as insufficient progress. This is especially true when considering the clinical approach of other Premier League clubs in securing their targets early in pre-season.
The failed pursuit of Gibbs-White underscores the need for Tottenham to act decisively in the transfer market. As the new season approaches, securing midfield reinforcements is crucial for the club’s ambitions. Spurs must learn from this setback and focus on identifying and securing alternative targets who can strengthen their squad.