Reports reveal that Nottingham Forest are now preparing a complaint to the Premier League and potential legal action against an alleged ‘illegal approach’ made by Tottenham to sign Morgan Gibbs-White.
News broke yesterday that Tottenham Hotspur were ready to trigger a £60m release clause in Gibbs-White’s contract to lure him away from Forest in a surprising transfer move.
Within hours of the story breaking, it emerged that Spurs had been successful with their bid to trigger the clause and had scheduled a Gibbs-White medical at Hotspur Way for Friday.
However, it is unclear whether that medical will actually go ahead now as Nottingham Forest attempt to get the transfer called off altogether in a shock twist.
Nottingham Forest consider Morgan Gibbs-White to Tottenham deal off
Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports has revealed that Nottingham Forest now consider the deal to take Morgan Gibbs-White to Tottenham Hotspur as off. Forest are consulting their lawyers as they suspect Spurs made an illegal approach for the midfielder.
It is said that The Tricky Trees never gave Tottenham permission to talk to Gibbs-White and they have now cut all communication with Spurs. However, the journalist added that Forest are unlikely to be able to block the transfer, even if they can delay it.
Dorsett also revealed live on Sky Sports News (11/07/25 at 13:20) that Forest also believe there may have been a breach in confidentiality around Gibbs-White’s release clause because Tottenham’s bid was pitched at the exact right level.
EXCL:I’m told #nffc consider deal to take Gibbs-White to #thfc is currently OFF – Forest consulting their lawyers over what they believe is an illegal approach. They never gave permission for talks and have cut all comms with Spurs. Unlikely they can block it, but def delayed.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) July 11, 2025
John Percy from The Telegraph says the deal is off as it stands, and this story is likely to ‘run and run’. Forest are said to be considering legal action against the transfer.
#nffc are considering legal action over what they perceive as an illegal approach from Tottenham in their pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White. Deal off as it stands but this one will clearly run and run. More to follow @TeleFootball #thfc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) July 11, 2025
What happens next for Tottenham and Gibbs-White?
After completing Mohammed Kudus’ medical on Thursday, Tottenham had planned to get Morgan Gibbs-White through the Hotspur Way doors on Friday to complete a sensational 24 hours of business.
However, Ben Jacobs confirms that Nottingham Forest have cut communication with Spurs and left the Lilywhites in the dark as to where this transfer goes next.
🚨 Breaking: Nottingham Forest are considering legal action over what they believe is an illegal approach by Spurs for Mogan Gibbs-White. Deal delayed as it stands.
Spurs in the dark and had planned medical and completion for this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/d0lCcySGKl
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 11, 2025
It remains to be seen how much of a delay Forest’s complaint and threat of legal proceedings will have on the transfer, or whether Gibbs-White will be able to join Tottenham at all.
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