It’s been anything but quiet at the City Ground this summer.
Nottingham Forest’s transfer window has become one of the most dramatic in the Premier League — and it all centres on one man: Morgan Gibbs-White.
After selling Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, the tension has only increased, and now, Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Gibbs-White has pushed things close to boiling point.
Gibbs-White Reports for Training But Eyes Spurs Switch
Despite all the transfer noise, Gibbs-White has remained professional — showing up for training at Forest on both Monday and Tuesday this week.
According to inside sources, he met with club officials to talk things through before joining his teammates on the pitch.
But behind the scenes, his stance hasn’t changed.
He’s still open to leaving and is reportedly keen on a move to Tottenham, largely because the north London side can offer him something Forest can’t: Champions League football.
With the World Cup coming up, it’s no secret that England boss Thomas Tuchel isn’t fully sold on Gibbs-White yet.
Playing for a Champions League club might just be what gets him over the line.
Is the Spurs Deal Off the Table?
Technically, the deal is on hold — but not entirely dead.
Forest were fuming after Spurs allegedly made an approach without going through the proper channels.
The £60 million release clause in Gibbs-White’s contract is believed to have been triggered, but Forest accused Tottenham of tapping up their player and even threatened to report them to the Premier League.
Even so, Gibbs-White still hopes the deal can go through — and Tottenham aren’t backing away either.
If they come back with a more respectful offer (and a little diplomacy), Forest might be willing to talk again.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis is known to be a tough negotiator, but he’s also not one to turn down the right price.
Why Are Forest Digging In So Hard?
This isn’t just about pride — it’s about timing and value.
Forest were ready to hand Gibbs-White a new deal back in January that would’ve doubled his wages to £120,000 per week, making him their highest-paid player.
But the talks never even got off the ground.
Forest feel that Gibbs-White’s value in today’s market is far more than the £60 million release clause they agreed to in 2022 when they signed him from Wolves.
With Elanga already out the door, fans feared that the team was falling apart, especially after last season’s strong Champions League push.
Now, instead of looking at the bigger picture of Forest’s transfer strategy, all eyes are locked on Spurs’ behaviour — and Gibbs-White’s desire to leave.
Fan Reaction Splits as Elanga Leaves and Gibbs-White Eyes Exit
Elanga’s departure to Newcastle didn’t spark outrage — he’ll likely get a warm welcome when he returns to the City Ground next season.
But for Gibbs-White, the mood is different.
Many fans feel betrayed by his wish to move on, especially while the club is still trying to build.
Dressing Room Surprised by Gibbs-White Situation
Inside the Forest squad, players had expected Gibbs-White to end up at Manchester City by the end of last season.
The gossip had become such a distraction that some hoped it would just get sorted quickly.
In the end, City went for a different duo — Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders — leaving Gibbs-White in limbo.
That’s added another layer of frustration to a team that’s trying to stay focused ahead of the new season.
And with Elanga’s pace gone, some players are questioning whether Forest’s usual counter-attacking style will still work effectively.
Who Might Be Next Out the Door?
Forest’s main priority now is keeping their remaining key players, including Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and most crucially, Murillo.
Hudson-Odoi only has one year left on his contract, and there have already been talks about his future.
If a deal isn’t sorted soon, Forest could risk losing him for nothing next summer.
As for Murillo, he’s happy at Forest — for now. But he’s ambitious.
Real Madrid have looked at him before, and he’s made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football someday.
Forest would demand a massive fee, but interest across Europe is growing.
Forest’s Most Valuable Assets Are Still In-House
The good news for Forest is that they’ve got valuable players on their books.
Murillo and Anderson could easily attract big fees if the club ever chooses to sell.
For now, they’re part of the long-term plan — unless a massive offer changes everything.
So What’s Happening With Signings?
On the incoming side, things are moving slowly.
Forest are still tracking Manchester City’s James McAtee, an attacking midfielder who’s on their radar.
But the valuation gap is big — Forest rate him at £25m, City want closer to £40m.
And Bundesliga clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt are also circling.
Beyond that, Forest are on the hunt for new wingers.
Johan Bakayoko seems bound for RB Leipzig, and Belgian prospect Malick Fofana is waiting to hear from Champions League clubs before making his decision.
Juventus winger Timothy Weah wasn’t interested in a move to Nottingham, and interest in his teammate Samuel Mbangula has also cooled.
What’s Next?
Forest have started their summer transfer business slowly, with only Botafogo duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha through the door.
But with Elanga gone, Gibbs-White’s future uncertain, and other big players attracting interest, this window is far from over.
The club might be quiet for now, but behind the scenes, there’s plenty of planning — and probably more drama — still to come.