Nottinghamshire

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

At one point, it felt almost inevitable that Morgan Gibbs-White was going to become a Tottenham Hotspur player.

The confidential £60m release clause had been met and surely any protests were just going to delay the unveiling.

Nottingham Forest, however, are a different beast these days.

While the club might have sanctioned the £55m sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United, Evangelos Marinakis was clearly in no mood to weaken the squad any further.

To his credit, the player made no noise. He attended training and the pre-season camp in Portugal, despite some personal issues, and now signing a new contract suddenly clears the way for the rest of Forest's transfer window plans.

Replacing Elanga is one thing. Replacing the heartbeat of Nuno Espirito Santo's side is another thing entirely.

Links with the likes of James McAtee and Harvey Elliott showed that there could be a future - it is just that the upheaval in one summer could be far too disruptive to the club's first European campaign in 30 years.

As it is, a three-year contract for Gibbs-White still potentially paves the way for a departure next summer, after the World Cup, but at a price more fitting to his stature - and with a succession plan in mind.

For now, it is very much a statement of intent. Forest are not here to be picked off by other clubs - especially ones that finished 10 places below us in the league - and we continue to look up, not down.

The uncertainty over the past few weeks has undoubtedly stalled the signing of new players, but with moves for Dan Ndoye, Adama Traore and possibly Jacob Ramsey, strengthening rather than weakening is definitely the name of the game.

With new contracts for several existing players agreed, those not likely to feature being moved on and money still to spend, Marinakis, Nuno and the fans are now hopefully on the same page for next season.

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Nottingham Forest are eyeing a move for Fulham and Spain winger Adama Traore, 29, who previously worked with manager Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolves. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Forest are also on the verge of signing Switzerland international Dan Ndoye, 24, on a long-term contract for a club-record fee after he informed Bologna of his desire to play in the Premier League. (Telegraph – subscription required, external)

If Forest beat Napoli to Ndoye's signature, the Italian club could step up their interest in Manchester City's Jack Grealish or Manchester United's 21-year-old Argentina forward Alejandro Garnacho. (Sun, external)

Finally, Forest, Everton and West Ham are battling it out for Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, who wants to leave Juventus this summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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There is something unique about a football fan's love for their club.

As once said by the great Arrigo Sacchi: "Football is the most important of the least important things in life".

Tears of joy - and heartbreak. Friendships forged. Memories that last a lifetime.

Sometimes it is there from the beginning, sometimes a moment is what starts it all or takes it to another level.

Wherever it comes from, the love for a club is often there for life.

As a new season edges closer, we want to know why you love Forest.

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Blackpool face competition from Plymouth Argyle for 21-year-old Nottingham Forest and Northern Ireland striker Dale Taylor's signature. (Alan Nixon via Patreon - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, speaking to club media about Morgan Gibbs-White signing a new contract: "We are very happy about it. We share the same dreams and he is a talented player. He loves Nottingham Forest and has become a legend already.

"It didn't take long to reach an agreement with Morgan - it was a very short conversation full of passion and love for the club.

"All of our supporters should know that this guy loves the club."