Journalist Graeme Bailey has now revealed that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is furious that Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause was made public, and has shed light on whether the midfielder’s representatives expect his move to Tottenham to go through.
Tottenham triggered Morgan Gibbs-White’s £60m release clause earlier this week and the news took everyone by surprise, not least because it was not known that the midfielder’s contract at Forest did contain such a clause.
It subsequently revealed that Nottingham Forest are considering legal action against Spurs, with the Midlands club feeling that Tottenham’s approach to the 25-year-old was illegal as they did not give the player permission to speak to the Lilywhites.
According to some sources, Forest also believe there may have been a breach in confidentiality around Gibbs-White’s release clause since the North London club bid exactly the amount stipulated in the clause.
Evangelos Marinakis is fuming at Spurs transfer actions
Graeme Bailey has now revealed that Forest’s flamboyant owner, Evangelos Marinakis, is furious that Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause has come out and the way Tottenham Hotspur have handled the pursuit.
The Midlands club have spoken to their lawyers about potential legal action, but the England international’s representatives expect his move to N17 to be completed.
Bailey told TBR Football: “Marinakis is furious, he is so angry this came out and he wants answers. The club have spoken to lawyers and obviously, someone has broken a confidence agreement somewhere.
“However, on whether this could be enough to see the deal called off – Gibbs-White’s people certainly don’t think so. It is a bitter pill for Marinakis and Forest to swallow, they really didn’t want to lose Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.”
Is Tottenham’s deal for Morgan Gibbs-White in jeopardy?
Various outlets, including The Athletic, have claimed that Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham is still on course to go through despite Forest’s legal manoeuvre.
The accusation of an illegal approach from Forest is said to be a temporary disruption rather than a deal-breaker, with things being firmly weighted in favour of Spurs.
This has also been backed up by Fabrizio Romano, who has said on his YouTube channel that Tottenham are confident Gibbs-White will soon be a Spurs player.
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