Nottingham Forest has written both the agent of Tottenham and Morgan Gibbs-White, who threaten legal steps about what they believe was an illegal approach to the player and an infringement of the confidentiality in the player's contract.
Sky Sports News has been told that the letters have put both parties “on legal notification”, so that they remind us of their obligations and the spelling how Forest believes that both Spurs and Gibbs-White's representatives have violated the Premier League rules and the conditions of the player's contract.
Tottenham did not respond publicly, but it is understood that they believe that they have done nothing wrong, and they retain an interest in signing the midfielder after they have not passed an £ 60 million bid.
Far from this issue to find out, Forest has made it clear that although they have not taken punishing action so far, they are willing to do this in the future – both via the Premier League and the courts.
Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports News answers the most important questions about the Transfersaga …
What are the rules for approaching players?
Although it is relatively usual for clubs to portray their so-called transfer goals in advance, 'tapping' (or any meaningful negotiation) is prohibited according to the Premier League rules.
Rule T.3 In the Premier League manual says that a buying club should receive written permission from the sales club before approaching a player, whether they are confronted with disciplinary action.
“Every club that makes … an approach directly or indirectly to a contract player, except as permitted by rule T.1.2 or rule T.2, will violate these rules and can be dealt with under the provisions of section W (disciplinary) of these rules.”
What is the dispute of the confidentiality of the contract?
Regarding Gibbs-White's current contract, there is legally a conflict between the rights of the employer and that of the employee.
Forest has a contractual agreement for the conditions of the contract of Gibbs -White – and in particular the level of his release clause – to be kept confidential, so if that is violated, they have a legal matter.
Conversely, Gibbs-White has a contractual agreement that if another club is willing to pay a certain transfer costs, he can leave the city. He also has a potential legal claim there.
Neither parties want to see this end in the courts, but both parties have that as a possibility in the background.
What does Gibbs-White want to do?
Sky Sports News has learned that Forest has been trying for almost 12 months to open the negotiations with Gibbs-White about a new and improved contract on the city, but he refused to participate in those conversations.
Forest is willing to give him a huge wage increase, in exchange for the removal of the release clause, which would be one of, if not the, biggest earner at the club.
From the point of view of Forest, the refusal of Gibbs-White to discuss a new contract that he has no long-term obligation for Bos.
So what is the following?
The result is the current stalemate. If Gibbs -Wite really wants to become a member of Tottenham, he may have to take legal steps against Forest – claiming a breach of contract – to try to force a movement.
There are no indications that he is willing to do that at the moment, and in fact he returned to the training for the season as planned yesterday, with the rest of the international players of Forest.
Alternatively, it may be that traces are willing to increase their offer for the player and pay an amount above his release clause, to try to place the forest and reopen lines of communication.
Again, there is no indication at this stage that Spurs is prepared, and there is no dialogue between the two clubs.
It is also possible that another club benefits from the impasse and comes with a separate offer for the player. Manchester City previously showed interest in Gibbs-White in the window, but did not pursue that interest.
Neither Bos nor traces have commented on these latest developments.
How difficult is this situation for Bos?
It is very sensitive. They don't want their best player to be unhappy, but they don't want to be seen as a 'sales club' or one that has no ambition.
After the departure of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, Gibbs -White to leave too, Forest will have lost two of their best players – albeit by earning £ 115 million – before the season starts.
Marinakis will strongly defend his own reputation and the status of his football club, although the presence of the release clause is important and ultimately means that Forest has no control over the future of one of their most important assets.
Marinakis and Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, are among the toughest negotiators in the Premier League and neither will probably deteriorate.
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