Done deal: Jesse Lingard joins Nottingham Forest
(Picture: Manchester United via Getty Images)Jesse Lingard has signed for Nottingham Forest on a lucrative one-year contract after turning down the chance to re-join West Ham.
Lingard, who was a free agent after leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract, enjoyed a superb loan spell at the London Stadium during the second half of the 2020/21 season and David Moyes was keen on a reunion this summer.
As recently as the start of this week, the Hammers were confident of signing the England international, only to be trumped by a late offer from Nottingham Forest which Standard Sport understands is worth £115,000 a week with further incentives based on survival and other performance-related add-ons.
The Hammers were unwilling to match that salary but left their own offer on the table. However, Lingard has instead chosen to join the newly promoted side and will head to the City Ground.
Ready for my new chapter ✨🤲🏾 let’s gooo babyyyyyy @NFFC 🔴🌳 #nottinghamforest pic.twitter.com/O4Q4mkThpN
— Jesse Lingard (@JesseLingard) July 21, 2022
There had been frustration at West Ham with Lingard’s dragging out of a decision on his future, despite it having been clear since January that he would be leaving Old Trafford. The delay means the midfielder will join up with Steve Cooper’s side having missed the majority of pre-season, with only a fortnight until the start of the new Premier League campaign.
The 29-year-old had a number of Premier League suitors, as well as reported offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia and the US.
