Nottingham Forest are threatening legal action against Tottenham Hotspur amid growing tensions surrounding the potential transfer of midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. The Premier League side is investigating whether Spurs have breached a confidentiality clause in the player’s contract, specifically tied to his £60 million release clause.
Sources close to the matter have told BBC Sport that Forest are furious with Tottenham’s approach and suspect a serious breach of protocol. The club believes Spurs’ interest became public prematurely due to a violation of a confidentiality agreement, and they are now consulting legal experts to consider their next move.
According to Premier League regulations, clubs are prohibited from speaking to players under contract at other clubs unless they have been granted formal permission. Forest maintain they did not give such permission to Spurs, making any contact between Tottenham and the player potentially unlawful.
The issue escalated after reports emerged on Thursday that Gibbs-White was scheduled for a medical with Tottenham on Friday, suggesting that Spurs are preparing to trigger his release clause. Forest believe that this development should not have been made public and are concerned that such revelations could destabilise the player and their squad.
The Midlands club is understood to be adamant in its stance and is ready to go to significant lengths to block the deal. They reportedly see this not just as a potential loss of a key player, but as an affront to their integrity and standing in the league.
Tottenham, on their part, are aware of Forest’s concerns but remain confident that a deal can still be struck. Club insiders suggest they view the triggering of the release clause as a legitimate route to sign the 24-year-old and are hopeful they can conclude the move, especially as Gibbs-White is believed to be open to the transfer.
The midfielder joined Forest from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2022 in a deal worth up to £42.5 million. Since his arrival, Gibbs-White has been an instrumental figure in Forest’s midfield. Over the past three seasons, he has racked up 118 appearances, contributing 18 goals and 28 assists — a return that has made him one of the club’s most valuable assets.
His performances have not gone unnoticed at the national level either. Gibbs-White made his England debut last September in a Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland under interim boss Lee Carsley. He also featured in a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground, coming off the bench during the 3-1 loss under new national team manager Thomas Tuchel.
This latest transfer saga comes amid a busy window for Tottenham, who have already secured the services of Ghana international Mohammed Kudus from West Ham in a £55 million deal. Spurs are clearly intent on strengthening their attacking options ahead of the new campaign, and Gibbs-White has been a top target for new manager Ange Postecoglou.
Meanwhile, another Forest player, Anthony Elanga, is reportedly on the verge of joining Newcastle United in a £55 million deal. The departure of both Elanga and Gibbs-White would represent a major reshuffle for Forest’s frontline.
As things stand, the situation surrounding Gibbs-White remains tense. While Spurs hope to complete the signing swiftly, Forest’s insistence on legal action and claims of improper conduct have the potential to drag the case into a long and complex dispute — one that could test the Premier League’s governance rules and set a precedent for future transfer dealings.
Whether the transfer is completed or blocked, the implications of this dispute could ripple beyond the current window, especially if Forest decide to pursue legal recourse in earnest.
