Nottingham Forest are considering lodging a formal complaint with the Premier League about Tottenham’s conduct in their attempts to sign midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
After it was revealed last week that Tottenham approached Forest and the player’s camp with intentions to trigger the player’s £60m release clause, Forest now believe the approach was illegal and are prepared to take possible legal action to block the transfer.
Sky Sports has reported that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is resolute in his stance, and is prepared to “lose significant sums of money” to defend his position. He believes that Spurs made an illegal approach for his talisman, and that there has been a breach of confidentiality regarding the amount of player’s release clause.
Sky also revealed another twist in the tale, which is that Forest have been trying unsuccessfully for nearly a year to open talks with Gibbs-White over a new and improved contract. The player has chosen not to engage in those talks, casting further doubt on his long term future at the City ground.
Forest and Gibbs-White could be set for legal battle
Spurs are still keen to do the deal and have the option of making an offer above the release clause to smooth things over with Forest. As Forest are fuming, Spurs have momentarily cooled their interest with over a month-and-a-half of the window still remaining.
From Forest’s standpoint, they have a contractual agreement for the terms of Gibbs-White’s contract -including the amount of his release clause – to be kept confidential. If in fact that confidentiality has been breached, they could have grounds for a legal case.
From Gibbs-White’s point of view, he has a contractual agreement that if another club is prepared to pay his release clause, he can leave the City Ground. He too would have a potential legal claim.
It is understood that neither party wants legal intervention at this point but it remains a possibility. With only two years remaining on the player’s contract, it is likely a resolution will be met sooner rather than later.
The player does not appear to be pushing for a move away and was spotted returning to training with the first team on Monday. Forest will be reluctant to lose two key men in the same window after selling Anthony Elanga to Newcastle earlier this summer.
They are however aware that the release clause and length of remaining contract puts them in an unfavourable position.
