Tottenham dealt transfer blow as Gibbs-White signs new Nottingham Forest deal

MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE has sensationally snubbed Tottenham and will STAY at Nottingham Forest - thanks to a dramatic intervention by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The Greek billionaire flew to the club’s training camp in Portugal for face-to-face talks with Gibbs-White, who was lined up to join Premier League rivals Spurs in a £60m deal.

And Marinakis won the England star over with a passionate speech about how important he was to Forest and their ambitious plans for the future.

Gibbs-White, 25, has now signed an improved and extended contract to 2028 at the City Ground in a major blow to Tottenham and executive chairman Daniel Levy.

Spurs triggered the player’s £60m release clause earlier this month, prompting fury and threats of legal action from Forest.

But after more than a fortnight of uncertainty, Marinakis took decisive steps to end the saga.

Gibbs-White, 25, did not initially fly to the Algarve with the rest of the Forest squad for personal reasons, but joined them later last week.

Marinakis arrived ahead of Saturday night's friendly against Fulham and went to meet Gibbs-White.

He told the star that he was determined to keep on making Forest bigger and stronger and how he wanted the former Wolves man to be at the heart of it.

Gibbs-White is understood to have been so impressed by Marinakis’ enthusiasm and vision for Forest’s future that he agreed not to pursue a transfer to Tottenham.

His new deal is believed not to include a release clause.

Confirming Gibbs-White's new contract alongside a picture of the midfielder alongside Marinakis, Forest wrote on X: "A statement of intent from our owner Evangelos Marinakis, as Morgan Gibbs-White signs a record deal at the Club until the summer of 2028."

Upon signing the deal, Gibbs-White said: "I’ve felt at home at Forest from the moment I arrived.

"The support from the fans, my team-mates, and everyone around the club has been unbelievable.

"I believe in what we're building here – and with the backing of Mr Marinakis and the enormous ambition he has, I want to be part of making something special. I’m excited for what’s to come."

Marinakis, 57, added: "Morgan is a special player – not just in terms of talent, but character and mentality. He represents everything we want this football club to be: he is a winner, talented, ambitious, fearless, and proud.

"There was significant interest from various clubs, but we were determined to build our future with Morgan at the heart of it. I promised our fans we would not only compete, but grow stronger and stronger every season. Today is another big step in that journey."

Gibbs-White’s decision will be a massive disappointment to Spurs.

They targeted the attacking midfielder to be the creative hub of a revamped team under new boss Thomas Frank, with Levy leading the bid to sign him.

But everyone at Forest will be delighted that one of their key players will stay after Marinakis took matters into his own hands.

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