Morgan Gibbs-White has not travelled to Nottingham Forest’s pre-season training camp in Portugal due to a private matter.
The attacking midfielder is a target for Tottenham, who thought they had activated a £60million release clause in his contract earlier this month, but the move was halted dramatically when Forest threatened to report Spurs to the Premier League for an alleged ‘illegal’ approach.
Mail Sport can confirm Gibbs-White was not part of the Forest squad who left England this morning, though it is understood that this was not transfer-related.
At this stage, Forest still expect Gibbs-White to link up with his team-mates later this week.
The 25-year-old returned to training on July 14 and held talks with club officials. He is thought to have shown an excellent attitude since reporting for duty though it is believed Gibbs-White wanted his future resolved before the first-team group departed for Portugal.
Gibbs-White played the first half of Forest’s pre-season friendly at Chesterfield on July 19 and was given a warm reception by supporters. He responded with his own gesture of gratitude.
Morgan Gibbs-White has not travelled to Portugal with his Nottingham Forest team-mates
While the news may come as a concern to Forest fans, Mail Sport understands his absence is not transfer-related
Gibbs-White appeared primed for a move to Spurs until Forest alleged that the Lilywhites made an illegal approach
Mail Sport learned in January that Gibbs-White was resisting Forest’s attempts to offer him a new deal that would at least have doubled his £60,000-a-week salary.
Earlier in the summer, it appeared Gibbs-White was set to join Manchester City, although that trail went cold at the time and has yet to be revived.
Meanwhile, Wolves would be a due about 10 per cent of any profit Forest made through selling Gibbs-White, after they signed him from the Molineux club three years ago for an initial £25m.
A second offer from Tottenham of about £65m is thought to have been discussed, though not yet submitted, and it is unclear whether this would be enough to change Forest’s stance.
Forest have already lost one key attacking player this summer after Anthony Elanga was sold to Newcastle for £55m last week, and the departure of Gibbs-White would force Nuno to revamp his attacking plans.
The club still hope Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is out of contract in the summer, will sign a new deal, while Forest are interested in Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey as well as James McAtee of Manchester City.
