Tottenham Hotspur prepares for a crucial Premier League match against Nottingham Forest, with fans keeping a keen eye on Morgan Gibbs-White. During the summer transfer window, the England international nearly joined Spurs from Forest. Instead, he now stands ready to intensify their relegation battle. Forest claimed Spurs made an unauthorized approach for the 26-year-old, alleging a leak of his release clause details. Ultimately, Gibbs-White signed a new three-year deal with his current club.
In August, Gibbs-White revealed a personal factor behind his choice to stay. He and his fiancée, Britney de Villiers, welcomed their second child, Hayes, amid a challenging pregnancy. Gibbs-White told talkSPORT: “Obviously in the summer, everybody’s seen what was going on and whatever. But away from that, it was a really difficult period for me and my fiancée. Having my second child, there were a few complications with all of that. I believed in being professional, showing up every day and letting everything else take care of what it needs to do. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I’m delighted with my decision. I think my fiancée is even more happy because she didn’t get to carry on with all the stress.”
Spurs invested over £150 million in new players during the summer. Yet, analysis reveals how the season might have differed had they landed key targets.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White represents a major missed opportunity. He could have delivered the creative spark and goals Spurs lack, especially with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski sidelined all season by injury. His eight league goals and two assists have kept Forest just one point above Spurs. Highlights include a late winner against West Ham. Funds earmarked for him went to Xavi Simons, who scored twice against Atletico Madrid midweek but has only one league goal.
Eberechi Eze
Playmaker Eberechi Eze topped Spurs’ wishlist. A deal appeared imminent before Arsenal intervened. The ex-QPR and Crystal Palace star stunned Spurs with a hat-trick in November’s 4-1 North London derby loss, adding two more in the return fixture and one other league goal this term. Recent form, including Arsenal’s win over Bayer Leverkusen, suggests he’s peaking. Whether he fits Spurs’ style remains debatable, but his absence has not hurt as much as feared.
Bryan Mbeumo
Speculation swirled about reuniting Bryan Mbeumo with Thomas Frank upon the Dane’s arrival at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Cameroon forward’s prolific Brentford season under Frank made it appealing, bolstered by Champions League prospects. Mbeumo opted for Manchester United, where his nine league goals fuel a top-four push. Only Richarlison matches that output for Spurs, with wide attackers lagging far behind.
Yoane Wissa
Another ex-Brentford standout, Yoane Wissa drew interest from Spurs, Newcastle, and Forest. His 19 league goals last season promised no overlap with Frank. Brentford’s rising demands priced him out, with Newcastle paying £50 million. Wissa’s Newcastle spell falters due to a knee injury, limiting him to three goals across competitions. Spurs likely avoided a poor investment.
Antoine Semenyo
Interest in Antoine Semenyo was widespread last summer. The Ghanaian signed a new Bournemouth deal in July but transferred to Manchester City in January. He boasts 15 league goals this season, including 10 for Bournemouth and a stoppage-time winner against Spurs that fueled their post-Christmas slump under Frank. Spurs succeeded with teammate Mohammed Kudus, though his injury has led to no wins in 10 games since January.
Together, these five attackers could have injected the creativity and firepower Tottenham craves, potentially steering clear of the relegation fight.
