Tottenham Bites Finger, Morgan Gibbs-White Extends Forest Contract

Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White stays at Nottingham Forest. (X/@NFFC)

JAKARTA - Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White finally stayed at Nottingham Forest after his contract was extended to 2028. Tottenham Hotspur, who wanted to sign Gibb-White, bit his finger because he certainly failed to get the England national team player.

A landslide blow for Tottenham who almost brought Gibbs-White. Because Tottenham is willing to pay the 25-year-old player's release clause of 60 million pounds.

However, Forest dismissed the news that Tottenham had paid Gibbs-White release clauses. It doesn't stop there, Forest will sue the North London club to court. This is because Tottenham is accused of illegally approximating players.

In addition, Forest also filed a complaint with the Premier League because Tottenham's actions in filing transfers were deemed to have violated the rules.

Because Tottenham negotiated with the Gibbs-Whites without Forest's permission. Tottenham is also considered to have committed a violation when they want to redeem the player's release clause.

The growing situation made the Gibbs-White transfersaga. However, the player with the number 10 back finally chose to stay in Forest after signing a contract extension for the next three years.

With the contract extension, it also dismissed rumors that players with four caps would move to Tottenham.

"The important figure of Forest and fan favorite, Gibbs-Whits, has expressed a commitment to the long term with the club after signing a new contract," Forest said in a statement.

Forest's success in fortifying its players is inseparable from the intervention of club owner Evangelos Marinakis. This Greek billionaire flew to Portugal to visit a team that was undergoing a training camp before entering the English Premier League competition. Marinakis spoke directly with Gibbs-White.

He also assured that the player has a very important role for the team. According to Marinakis, the team has big ambitions for future designs. And the ambitious project fully involves Gibbs-White.

"Morgan is a very special player, not only in terms of talent but character and mentality. He shows what we want for this football club. He is a winner, talented, ambitious, brave and very proud," Marinakis told The Sun.

"Indeed, there are many clubs that are interested in him. But we have made sure to build our future with Morgan. I promise fans that the team will not only compete but will be stronger every season," he said again.

Gibbs-White himself stated that he would not leave the club that had won the Champions Cup [now the Champions League] twice. According to him since he first arrived in Forest in 2022, he has felt the atmosphere at home.

At that time, Forest, who was promoted to bring in Gibbs-White from Wolverhampton Wanderers for 25 million pounds plus bonuses that could reach 17 million pounds.

"I've felt the atmosphere at home when I first arrived at Forest. The support from fans, teammates and anyone at this club is amazing. I believe in what this club wants to build. With the support of Marinakis and his ambitions, I want to be part of the club project," Gibbs-White said.

Last season, Gibbs-White brought Forest to seventh place in the Premier League standings. Previously, Forest almost qualified for the Champions League but then experienced a decline in performance so they were knocked out of the top five. However, they can appear in the UEFA Conference League playoffs.