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Morgan Gibbs-White has linked up with his Nottingham Forest team-mates in Portugal after missing the start of their pre-season training camp, Mail Sport can confirm.

The playmaker, who was the subject of a £60million bid from Tottenham earlier this month, was absent from the travelling party due to a private matter unrelated to football.

But Mail Sport understands Gibbs-White has now flown to Portugal and will train as normal with Nuno Espirito Santo‘s squad.

Gibbs-White has been one of the central figures of the summer transfer window.

Spurs 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.

Though the 25-year-old remains keen to join Spurs, there is a suggestion Forest would prefer him to move elsewhere given the circumstances of the original approach. 

It is understood, however, that Gibbs-White has shown an exemplary attitude since returning for duty on July 14.

Forest were prepared to sell Gibbs-White this summer but were unhappy with how Spurs handled themselves. Manchester City showed a strong interest in Gibbs-White during the spring, only for the trail to go cold in the close-season as they moved instead for Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki, who cost £34m.

The unknown factor is how Forest respond to an eventual second offer from Spurs. 

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. 

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 boss 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, Manchester City’s James McAtee and Swiss attacker Dan Ndoye, who plays for Italian club Bologna.