Bruno Lage chops down Forest approach for Wolves star Morgan Gibbs-White

Wolves boss Bruno Lage expects Morgan Gibbs-White to play a key role this season after the club rejected another bid from Nottingham Forest for the midfielder.

Newly-promoted Forest have reportedly made a third offer worth up to £35million for Gibbs-White, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United.

Lage, whose side launch their Premier League campaign at Leeds on Saturday, said: “We reject. He’s an important player for me and for the dynamic. We are building for the future of Wolves.

“We reject because he’s an important player for us. He feels important also, he is happy. The way he’s played and the way he’s worked every day in training showed me that.

“So when you have this connection between manager and player and also the player with his team-mates, everything is good.

“We want the player with us. He is fit and motivated to do his best.”

Lage is hopeful of completing several new signings before the transfer window closes on September 1 after adding just one player to his squad since steering Wolves to a 10th-placed finish in his first season in charge.

Republic of Ireland defender Nathan Collins joined from Burnley for a reported £20.5million last month and Lage urged fans to be patient.

“Yes, I’m concerned about that, of course,” the Portuguese said. “Especially next season with five subs. It’s so important to have a strong squad and not just a strong team.

“It’s important for me as a manager to be in the middle of Fosun and (executive chairman) Jeff (Shi) and the love from the fans.

“Maybe this is the time to look back at what has happened at Wolves in the last seven years.

“When they (Fosun) came the club was in the Championship, the squad wasn’t so strong like now and the fans got everything so fast: