Jesse Lingard: Nottingham Forest in talks to sign ex-Man Utd midfielder | West Ham are awaiting their decision

Nottingham Forest have made a substantial offer to sign Jesse Lingard and are in talks with their representatives.

There was a growing feeling that Lingard would choose West Ham as his preferred destination, but Forest have now joined the race for his signature.

West Ham have already made an offer to sign Lingard and are happy with the offer they have on the table. The Hammers are now awaiting his decision.

The former Manchester United midfielder’s representatives have been in talks with at least four different clubs in recent days and he is expected to decide his next club soon.

The other two offers are believed to come from leagues outside England.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after his contract at Old Trafford expired on June 30.

Lingard scored nine goals and registered five assists for West Ham during a successful loan spell in 2021. He made 231 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions, scoring 35 goals.

Forestry bid will accelerate Lingard’s decision

Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam:

“I think this summer has been a big transition for Jesse Lingard in his whole career. He’s been at Manchester United for years and maybe at some point thought he was probably never going to leave the club.

“He had a few loan spells during that period, particularly when he was younger, and I think when you have that kind of transition in your life where you go from one of the biggest clubs in world football , you have to evaluate and evaluate.

“I think making the right choice was key for Jesse Lingard and if that just meant giving a few extra weeks to check out the options on the table, he might think that was the best thing to do.

“Let’s be honest, if he had joined West Ham two or three weeks ago, that offer from Nottingham Forest might not have materialized. It might be a better package. He might be closer to home. He might feel more suited to their style..

“But I think Jesse Lingard knows a decision needs to be made and I think this offer from Nottingham Forest will hasten his decision.”

West Ham in advanced talks for Broja | Awaiting response on Onana

West Ham’s first signing of the summer window was defender Nayef Aguerd, who joined Rennes for £30m, and they have also activated an option to buy goalkeeper Alphonse Areola for £7.75m. pounds from Paris Saint-Germain after his successful loan spell last season.

Hammers boss David Moyes is looking to improve his squad ahead of a season that will see West Ham combine Premier League improvement with a debut campaign in the Europa Conference League.

They are in advanced talks to sign the Chelsea striker Armando Broja but Thomas Tuchel recently downplayed the talk he’s about to quit the club on loan this summer.

West Ham are also awaiting a response from Lille on the midfielder’s potential transfer Amadou Onana and remains in talks with Sassuolo over signing the striker Gianluca Scamacca.

Busy Forest to add Lingard before PL return?

Nottingham Forest have been busy in the transfer market so far ahead of their long-awaited return to the Premier League.

Last month, Steve Cooper’s side signed the Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi for a record £17.5million and recently brought Moussa Niakhate and neco williams – both in deals worth £17million.

Forest, who open their campaign with a trip to Newcastle on August 6have also signed Brandon Aguilera, Giulian Biancone, Omar Richard, Dean Henderson, ryan hammond and wayne hennessy.

Convincing Lingard to also play at the City Ground would be a major move for Cooper.

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