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Nottingham Forest owner takes a dig at Tottenham Hotspur for not being able to sign Morgan Gibbs-White

Tottenham Hotspur are back in the Champions League. Winning the Europa League not only lifted a trophy but also secured a return to Europe’s biggest stage next season. The win against Manchester United has given the club new energy, and a new era has begun—Thomas Frank is now our new manager. Frank’s arrival has brought a change in Tottenham’s mentality. Now, both aggression and tactics on the pitch look better.

Tottenham have struggled over the past few seasons, but not completely collapsed. There was instability under Antonio Conte, then a transitional period under Ryan Mason, but things have changed to an extent after the Europa League win. The entry of Mohammed Kudus and the permanent signing of Mathys Tel are giving the frontline a sharp edge. The club’s transfer policy is now being thought out by looking at utility, not just names.

Gibbs-White deal and Forest’s taunt

Now, moving to the main news, Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham seemed almost certain. According to reports, the club had activated her £60m release clause, and even a medical was planned. However, Nottingham Forest lodged a legal objection. After this, the deal got stuck. In the end, Gibbs-White signed a new three-year deal with Forest.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis taunted our club on the whole issue (h/t TalkSport). He called Spurs’ approach “inappropriate” and said that the club are like a ‘family’, and they cannot give players to anyone just like that. Marinakis praised Gibbs-White’s “character and winning mentality” and took a dig at Spurs, as if we were trying to make a deal without decorum.

“As long as I’m in charge of all of these actions, approaches should take place, I repeat, in an appropriate manner. I would never let anyone from any other team get a player from us or make something we don’t agree with. And especially, as I said, with some guys that they belong to our family.

Therefore, with Morgan, it didn’t take long to come to an agreement. It was a very short conversation, full of passion and love for the club. So when you have passion, when you have love for something, it’s a matter of a few seconds to agree. And all our supporters should know that this guy loves the club.”

Perspective from a Spurs fan

As Spurs fans, Marinakis’ jibe is a bit annoying, but that’s not the end of the story. The legal twists and turns Forest took have complicated the situation. Tottenham were confident they had activated their release clause. Had everything gone smoothly, Gibbs-White would be in our midfield today. Marinakis’ “family” narrative sounds like he is trying to fool Forest fans.

Still, when thinking with a sober mind, Spurs may have let an expensive deal slip. At £60m, the 25-year-old is not a guaranteed star, and a new three-year contract doesn’t make him unapproachable in the next transfer window. Spurs are currently betting on players with a deliberate, sustainable strategy. The additions to our squad in the form of Kudus and Tel are a sign of long-term success. Marinakis may consider himself a winner today, but the real test of the Englishman’s loyalty will come when another big club makes an offer. Spurs have moved on, and the jibe doesn’t matter anymore.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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