(Credit: Imago/Getty Images)

Jonathan Burnett

Mon 18 August 2025 13:06, UK

Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 victory over Brentford on the opening Premier League weekend has led to a lofty verdict on Morgan Gibbs-White.

'Nottingham Forest push revenue limits to cope with new Morgan Gibbs-White deal'	'I'm Told' - Expert: Nottingham Forest close to agreeing move for 'outstanding' player	Illan Meslier to quit Leeds 'within days' with 'offer' to be accepted

Gibbs-White led Forest to a dominant win over Keith Andrews‘ new-look Bees at the City Ground, as the Reds picked up where they left off last season ahead of their return to European football after 29 years.

Chris Wood‘s brace and a debut goal from new £34.6millon signing Dan Ndoye underlined their starting credentials to Nuno Espirito Santo, who has bolstered his Forest squad significantly in recent weeks.

Nottingham Forest unveiled new signings Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee on the City Ground pitch prior to kick-off, and Arnaud Kalimuendo is their latest new arrival after his £25.8m move from Rennes.

Gibbs-White could’ve been sporting Spurs colours this weekend (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Hutchinson and McAtee join a side well-stocked in attacking midfield and led by Gibbs-White, whose display against Brentford underlined his importance to both Nuno and Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Marinakis intervened to prevent Gibbs-White’s exit after Tottenham moved to trigger his £60m release clause at the City Ground, and weeks of transfer talks culminated in a new contract for the 25-year-old.

Gibbs-White donned the armband against Brentford and set up Ndoye’s looping header for Forest’s second goal, and the midfielder posted on Instagram at full-time on Sunday with a message for fans.

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

The Forest number 10’s post said: “Start as we mean to go on!

Fans were incredible as usual”.

Several Forest players sent responses in the comments, and the recently-released Harry Toffolo called Gibbs-White “[the] best player in the Prem.”

View this post on Instagram

View Instagram Post

Football Insider Verdict

Toffolo’s release by Forest and subsequent move to MLS side Charlotte FC is one of several under-the-radar exits from the City Ground, with only Anthony Elanga‘s Newcastle move grabbing the headlines.

Had Tottenham succeeded in their pursuit of Gibbs-White and won out against a defiant Marinakis, the England playmaker’s move would have blown Elanga’s £55m switch to the North East out of the water.

James Maddison‘s ACL injury leaves Spurs with an even clearer need for a new number 10 and could have led to regrets from Gibbs-White, but as things stand, he will lead Forest into the Europa League this season.
For more news relating to Spurs, visit our sister site Spurs Latest Live.