Tottenham Hotspur has secured the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United for a reported fee of £55 million (AU$113 million). This transfer is notable as it marks the first time since 2011 that a player has moved from West Ham to their London rivals. In contrast, Tottenham’s attempt to sign Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest has encountered significant hurdles, as Forest has threatened legal action regarding the negotiations.
The Ghanaian international Kudus expressed his excitement about the move, highlighting the opportunity to compete in the UEFA Champions League and the influence of new manager Thomas Frank on his decision. Frank took over at Tottenham last month, succeeding Ange Postecoglou, who led the club to victory in the 2025 UEFA Europa League, ending a 17-year trophy drought. This triumph secured Spurs a direct entry into the Champions League, adding to the allure of the club for potential signings.
Kudus stated, “I have always wanted to play at the highest level. How big the club is, the history, and being in the Champions League make this a big moment. I am finally here and am very happy. The most important part of why I came here is the project and how the manager sees that I can develop under him.” He noted Frank’s successful track record of nurturing talent, which played a crucial role in his commitment to the club.
In his two-year tenure at West Ham, Kudus scored 19 goals in 80 appearances after joining from Ajax for approximately $78 million. His performance was instrumental in West Ham’s competitive standing in recent seasons.
On the other hand, Gibbs-White’s potential transfer to Tottenham has been put on hold due to Nottingham Forest’s claims that Spurs did not have permission to engage with the player. The BBC reported that Forest is considering legal action, alleging that Tottenham breached Premier League rules by approaching Gibbs-White without consent. These regulations explicitly prohibit clubs from contacting players under contract with another team without prior approval.
Gibbs-White, who had previously been linked with a move to Manchester City, played a vital role in Nottingham Forest’s success last season, contributing to their seventh-place finish in the Premier League. He scored seven goals and provided ten assists in 34 league appearances, earning recognition from the England national team under both Lee Carsley and Thomas Tuchel.
Should Gibbs-White leave Forest, it would signify a second significant loss for the club in a short time frame, following the impending transfer of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United for approximately $112 million. Gibbs-White originally joined Forest from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022 for an initial fee of $51 million, which could increase to $87 million based on performance-related add-ons.
The developments surrounding Kudus and Gibbs-White highlight the ongoing dynamics of player transfers in the Premier League, where clubs are continuously navigating complex negotiations and competitive rivalries.
