Gabby Agbonlahor stunned by something Morgan Gibbs-White has now done after Tottenham saga

🔥 Breaking: Agbonlahor stunned — what Morgan Gibbs‑White has done now

In short: After Tottenham appeared set to sign Morgan Gibbs‑White by triggering his £60 million release clause, Forest captain instead committed to Nottingham Forest with a new contract through 2028, completely rebuffing Spurs. This dramatic twist left pundits including Gabby Agbonlahor publicly bewildered. Let’s unpack the drama step by step.

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1. The Tottenham approach: a £60m trigger

Earlier in July 2025, Tottenham Hotspur believed they had activated Morgan Gibbs‑White’s £60 million release clause, setting up a medical appointment. That seemed to seal the deal for the former Wolves midfielder. Talksport+15Talksport+15YouTube+15

Tottenham fans and media assumed the transfer was all but complete.

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2. Nottingham Forest fires back: drama ensues

However, Nottingham Forest reacted swiftly. Owner Evangelos Marinakis publicly accused Spurs of making an “illegal approach” and threatened legal action. Forest lodged a formal complaint with the Premier League, citing breaches of confidentiality over Gibbs‑White’s contract details. The Sun+7Talksport+7The Guardian+7

Meanwhile, the player did not force a move. He continued to train professionally and joined the rest of the squad for pre-season. TalksportCartilage Free CaptainTalksport

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3. The heartfelt gesture: Gibbs‑White reconnects with the fans

In his first appearance back amid the brewing saga, Gibbs‑White played the first half of Forest’s 0‑0 friendly with Monaco. At halftime, he clapped to the fans and made a heart gesture, a recurring expression of his appreciation that now carried added emotional weight given the unfolding situation. Sporting Life+9Talksport+9Talksport+9

That same gesture was later used as part of Nottingham Forest’s contract announcement—symbolic of mutual affection between player and club. The Times+8Talksport+8Cartilage Free Captain+8

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4. New deal signed: Gibbs‑White stays at Forest until 2028

On July 26–27, 2025, Nottingham Forest confirmed that Gibbs‑White had signed a record new three‑year contract, keeping him at the club until 2028. Significantly, the new deal contains no release clause, ensuring Spurs—or any rival—cannot easily trigger his departure. Talksport+3The Guardian+3Talksport+3

The club framed the contract as a bold statement of intent, building their future around Gibbs‑White’s leadership, skill and character. Bluesky Social+15Reuters+15Talksport+15

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5. Gabby Agbonlahor’s stunned reaction

Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor went on talkSPORT to express his disbelief. He said he “doesn’t get why Gibbs‑White has stayed at Nottingham Forest”, speculating that the player would simply leave next year. YouTube+6Facebook+6Sporting Life+6

Agbonlahor also pointed out that Tottenham’s James Maddison would be “buzzing” that the transfer collapsed:

“I’ll tell you who will be buzzing … James Maddison, because Morgan Gibbs‑White would’ve taken his place. I don’t think you’re paying £60 million to sit on the bench.” TBR Football

This highlights Agbonlahor’s astonishment—he had expected Gibbs‑White to join Spurs, but instead the player recommitted to Forest and effectively shut the door on his suitors.

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6. Owner Marinakis: turning the tide

Marinakis personally intervened—famously flying to Forest’s pre‑season training camp in Portugal to persuade Gibbs‑White in face‑to‑face talks. He stressed the player’s integral role in the club’s ambitious future and the importance of loyalty and character. That message reportedly convinced Gibbs‑White to stay. The SunTalksportCartilage Free Captain

In his contract announcement alongside the player, Marinakis remarked:

“Morgan is a special player … a winner, talented, ambitious, fearless, and proud … we were determined to build our future with Morgan at the heart of it.” YouTube+9Talksport+9Talksport+9

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7. Tottenham left frustrated

For Spurs, this represents a significant setback. They believed they had successfully triggered the release clause—but the legal challenge and Forest’s stance halted proceedings. Thomas Frank’s squad missed out on the creative midfielder they were counting on to bolster their Champions League ambitions.

Questions now linger about whether Tottenham could pursue legal recourse—or whether confidential contract details were leaked by Gibbs‑White’s agent. The Guardian+4Talksport+4Talksport+4Cartilage Free Captain

A rival interest, Manchester City, reportedly remained interested in Gibbs‑White—although that prospect has been rendered moot by his new deal. YouTube+15The Sun+15The Guardian+15

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8. Player’s perspective: loyalty over money

Despite the interest and potential move, Gibbs‑White described himself as “delighted” to remain at Forest:

“I’ve felt at home at Forest from the moment I arrived. … I believe in what we’re building here … I want to be part of making something special. I’m excited for what’s to come.” Facebook+6Talksport+6Talksport+6

Endorsing Forest’s vision and backing from Marinakis, his decision appeared to come from the heart as much as the head.

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9. Why Agbonlahor—and others—were stunned

In summary, Gabby Agbonlahor’s shock stems from a few surprising turns:

• A high-profile transfer appeared imminent, with Spurs ready to pay £60m.
• Forest fought back aggressively, alleging illegal conduct and halting the deal.
• The player ultimately stayed, signing a long-term contract without a release clause.
• The tone of loyalty and fan-gesture symbolism reinforced Forest’s narrative.
• Agbonlahor expected the deal to go through and could not see why Gibbs‑White chose to stay. The Guardian+5TBR Football+5Talksport+5YouTube+6Facebook+6TBR Football+6Talksport+2The Guardian+2The Sun+2The Guardian+4The Sun+4Reuters+4

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10. What happens next?

For Nottingham Forest:

• Forest have solidified their core midfielder through 2028.
• They enter Europe (Conference League) with Gibbs‑White as a midfield lynchpin.
• Marinakis sends a message: Forest is ambitious and won’t be easily undermined.

For Tottenham:

• Spurs must reassess their midfield targets; James Maddison’s role is more secure.
• A legal cloud still hangs over their attempted approach, raising concerns about future transfer conduct.

For Gibbs‑White:

• A new chapter at Forest, with leadership responsibilities and European competition.
• Having survived a turbulent summer, his stock and fan esteem at the City Ground are stronger than ever.

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🧭 Verdict: Gabby’s bewilderment made sense

Agbonlahor’s public astonishment captures the wider sense of surprise: someone who seemed a near-certainty to join Tottenham instead re-signed with his current club, spurning a £60m switch. Covenanted by loyalty, pushed forward by an owner’s personal appeal, Gibbs‑White’s decision upended expectations from pundits and fans alike—and left Agbonlahor baffled.

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🗂️ Summary Table

Key Phase	Action	Result/Emotion
Tottenham triggers clause	Medical scheduled, deal seemed imminent	Spurs optimistic
Forest reaction	Legal complaint, thrilling owner intervention	Transfer halted
Player gesture	Heart sign to fans during friendly	Symbol of loyalty
New contract	Signed through 2028, no release clause	Financial and career commitment
Agbonlahor reaction	Public bewilderment on talkSPORT	Shock, disbelief
Owner’s message	Marinakis emphasizes loyalty, ambition	Emotional swing
Tottenham fallout	Lost target, internal questions over approach conduct	Frustration, strategic replan
Gibbs‑White’s stance	Expressed delight & belief in Forest project	Player fully committed

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Morgan Gibbs‑White’s decision to turn down Tottenham and recommit to Nottingham Forest was both surprising and strategically bold. It triggered sharp reactions—including Gabby Agbonlahor’s genuine bafflement—but underscored the club’s rapid growth and ambition. Forest gained a hero; Spurs lost a major target; the player emerged as a symbol of loyalty and identity at the City Ground.

Let me know if you’d like further analysis on Spurs’ next midfield options or more on Gibbs‑White’s season ahead.