Forest block Morgan Gibbs-White transfer to Tottenham amid legal dispute

Nottingham Forest have firmly rejected Tottenham Hotspur’s attempt to secure midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, despite the activation of a £60 million release clause, according to a breaking news report from Sky Sports Premier League on Tuesday. The dispute has escalated, with Forest considering legal action over an alleged illegal approach by Spurs, as reported by The Guardian on July 12, 2025.

The controversy centers on Spurs’ pursuit of the 25-year-old England international, with Forest preparing a formal complaint to the Premier League, claiming inappropriate conduct in the transfer negotiations. Sources indicate that Tottenham, who recently signed Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, still intend to proceed with the deal to bolster manager Thomas Frank’s squad.

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Release clauses, standard in player contracts, legally obligate a selling club to accept a predetermined fee, as noted in a 2024 Givemesport article. However, disputes can arise if negotiation protocols, such as obtaining permission to speak with the player are violated, potentially justifying Forest’s stance. Historical data from a 2022 Deloitte Football Finance report reveals that only 5% of transfer disputes involving release clauses escalate to legal proceedings, making Forest’s approach a rare and possibly strategic move to renegotiate terms or delay the transfer.

Both clubs have declined to comment further as the situation develops.