Morgan Gibbs-White has reported for duty at Nottingham Forest’s Nigel Doughty Academy this morning amid his future being in the spotlight.
Pre-season started for the Reds last week and they drew 0-0 at Chesterfield in their first friendly on Saturday. However, Gibbs-White was among a group of players permitted additional time off due to his international commitments with England last month.
Nevertheless, there was a question mark over whether the 25-year-old would still be part of Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad by the time his scheduled return Trentside came around. He has been the subject of much transfer talk this summer and the speculation has only ramped up in recent days.
Late last week, Gibbs-White appeared to be on the verge of a move to Tottenham Hotspur. He was believed to be set for a medical in north London on Friday after Spurs were understood to have triggered the £60 million release clause in his Forest contract.
However, the Reds are considering legal action against what they believe is an illegal approach by their Premier League rivals. With that in mind, a deal appears to be on hold for now - although it may well be that it is simply delayed rather than ruled out entirely.
In the meantime, Gibbs-White is back on the banks of the Trent to begin pre-season training. The club posted a picture of the England international arriving at the Nigel Doughty Academy with the caption: “Back with the group.”
Striker Chris Wood, centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, goalkeeper Matz Sels and midfielder Ibrahim Sangare were also captured linking back up with the Reds. But the photograph of Gibbs-White, in particular, certainly got Forest fans talking on social media. Below is a look at what they have been saying.
@maybebrayyy: well this is awkward #NFFC
@IanMurrayHall: Tweet Of The Year #nffc
@NFFC_JD: Haha forest know exactly what they’re doing posting that #nffc #NFFC
@jethrofairley: Would’ve been hilarious if Elanga was there as well #nffc
@JGNFFC_: but i thought he was waiting in a hotel in london right now? #NFFC
@NoTweetsForTony: No medical today then? lol #nffc #thfc
@forestmad80: Awkward… #NFFC
@LiloNffc: Forest social media trolling the football world by posting MGW arriving at training #NFFC