Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made a significant move in the transfer market by triggering the £60 million release clause of Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. The deal, confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Thursday, will see the 25-year-old undergo a medical on Friday to finalize his move to the North London club.
Gibbs-White's arrival is expected to bolster Tottenham's squad under newly appointed head coach Thomas Frank, providing a significant boost as they prepare for the upcoming season. The move also marks Tottenham's return to the Champions League after their Europa League win, offering Gibbs-White a chance to showcase his talents on Europe's biggest stage.
Since joining Nottingham Forest from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022, Gibbs-White has established himself as a key player, making 118 appearances and contributing 18 goals and 28 assists. His stellar performances last season, with seven goals and ten assists, played a crucial role in Forest's seventh-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Conference League. He also occasionally captained the side, demonstrating his leadership qualities.
Gibbs-White's versatility is another attractive attribute for Tottenham. He can operate effectively as a central midfielder or in the number 10 role, fitting seamlessly into Frank's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. His Premier League experience, gained from his time at both Wolves and Forest, will be invaluable as he adapts to his new surroundings.
Tottenham's pursuit of Gibbs-White comes amid a busy summer for the club. They have already secured the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham for £55 million and defender Kota Takai. Spurs have also shown interest in Brentford's Yoane Wissa, suggesting Frank is keen to leverage his familiarity with players from his former club.
For Nottingham Forest, the departure of Gibbs-White represents a significant loss, especially after Anthony Elanga's £55 million move to Newcastle. The club now faces the challenge of finding a suitable replacement, with reports linking them to potential targets such as James McAtee. Interestingly, Wolverhampton Wanderers are set to receive 10% of the transfer fee.
Manchester City had previously expressed interest in Gibbs-White, but ultimately opted to pursue other targets in Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders. Tottenham's swift action to trigger the release clause demonstrates their determination to secure Gibbs-White's services and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.