Tottenham are being threatened with legal action by Nottingham Forest for their conduct over a potential deal for playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White, and while Spurs are still hopeful they can strike a deal, it is wise for chairman Daniel Levy to weigh up alternatives.
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The Mali international is facing his final summer in north London.
Fabrizio Romano and other reliable media sources claim that Gibbs-White to Spurs is still on, and the north Londoners are optimistic of concluding a deal for the England international soon amid a “tense” situation.
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Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025 |
Average match rating |
|---|---|
|
Son Heung-min |
7.00 |
|
James Maddison |
6.98 |
|
Pedro Porro |
6.95 |
|
Dominic Solanke |
6.84 |
|
Dejan Kulusevski |
6.83 |
|
via WhoScored |
|
Gibbs-White was on the verge of joining Spurs midway through July, with a medical scheduled around nine days ago and Levy poised to trigger his £60 million release clause.
However, Forest then blocked his move to N17, citing what they deem to be an ‘unlawful’ approach for Gibbs-White with confidentiality around his clause allegedly breached and the Lilywhites accused of tapping up the player.
“Spurs have received communication asking them to cease contact with Gibbs-White,” said journalist Ben Jacobs.
“Forest declined to comment, but sources say the club believe Spurs tapped up Gibbs-White and could challenge the manner in which the £60m clause was learned of. The Premier League will now investigate leading to the deal being delayed.”
While there is still an expectation that Forest will eventually be powerless to stop Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham from going through, the length of this delay is still unknown, and Levy won’t want to spend too much time on this as pre-season gets underway.
Thomas Frank has already led Tottenham out for a friendly against Reading, and they’ll take on Luton Town next Saturday before a tour of Asia. Frank will ideally want as many summer deals as possible completed ahead of their UEFA Super Cup clash against PSG, and certainly before Spurs’ first Premier League game of the season at home to Burnley.
Xavi Simons begins talks over joining Tottenham via representatives
According to CaughtOffside, Spurs could now have an alternative to Gibbs-White in the form of RB Leipzig sensation Xavi Simons.
The Dutchman spent a year and a half on loan at Leipzig before signing for them permanently in January, but widespread reports indicate he’s now prepared to leave the Bundesliga side this summer – potentially for England.
It would take a minimum £56 million, plus add-ons, to prise Simons away from the Red Bull Arena before deadline day, with Arsenal and Chelsea both keen on the 22-year-old (Ben Jacobs).
However, they’re not the only London clubs who are contending for his services.
According to CaughtOffside, quoting one of their sources, Simons has “begun talks” over a potential move to Tottenham via his representatives, alongside Arsenal and Chelsea.
There is also a word of caution, though, with insiders expressing concerns over the attacking midfielder’s attitude and professionalism behind-the-scenes. Since initially joining Leipzig on a temporary deal, Simons has managed a total of 21 goals and 23 assists in 76 outings, so there is little denying his quality, but Frank and Levy may have to tread carefully here.
Gibbs-White also boasts proven Premier League experience in comparison to Simons, even if the saga surrounding his future shows no sign of ending soon as things stand.
