Tottenham are about to make a real statement in the transfer market. Amid all the calls from fans to splash the cash and give the squad a much-needed upgrade, the Lilywhites are on the verge of spending £115million on two deals.
Firstly confirming the arrival of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham on Thursday evening in a £55million move, Tottenham are now on the verge of completing the addition of Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White. Spurs are set to pay the £60million release clause in his contract after the England international enjoyed a stellar season at the City Ground.
Gibbs-White was a huge part of Forest’s unlikely European qualification after contributing with seven goals and ten assists for Nuno Espirito Santo. He wowed in his attacking midfield role and it duly saw him called up to the England squad for the very first time.
Gibbs-White’s versatility will be a big plus to Thomas Frank but he will be expected to play in the No.10 role and work his magic in the final areas. Another huge benefit to the signing of the 25-year-old is his leadership qualities.
Only joining Nottingham Forest in August 2022 after their promotion to the Premier League, Gibbs-White quickly became part of the leadership group at the club. The Forest vice-captain would go on to wear the armband on 10 occasions during the 2023/24 season, before going on to do so 21 times last term.
Speaking to Footballer Fits in March about his leadership skills and captaining Nottingham Forest, he said: “I’m a very vocal leader. So I get myself motivated by speaking and helping others. It’s an honour for me to captain such a historic football club. I also like to show on the pitch that I’m a leader by picking the ball up, or creating chances and just setting the tempo of the game.
“The manager helps that as well. He’s brought that togetherness, that motivation back into the group. We’ve definitely seen an improvement in the dressing room this year since the start of pre-season. I feel like everyone is together. The vibes good at the minute and I think it shows on the pitch.”
Adding another leader to the ranks is massive for Tottenham as there is a chance that one or two of their current leadership group could move on this summer. Captain Son Heung-min has been linked with a move away after 10 years at the club and the same goes for Cristian Romero, although recent reports from AS in Spain indicate that Atletico Madrid have “grown tired” in their attempts to sign him and will instead look at other targets.
James Maddison and Guglielmo Vicario are the other two players in the leadership group. Maddison’s position in the team could now be in question as Gibbs-White plays in his No.10 role.
Once a deal does go through, Gibbs-White can have a huge influence for Tottenham both on and off the pitch due to what he can offer from both a footballing point of view and his leadership attributes. It could be £60million well spent if he can replicate his Nottingham Forest form at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Thomas Frank assembles his staff, the latest on Cristian Romero – click here to listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham! Or click here to watch on YouTube!
