Jesse Lingard is set to make a decision on his future next week with Nottingham Forest having entered the race to sign the in-demand midfielder.
Lingard is a free agent after leaving Manchester United this summer and has offers from several Premier League clubs, with West Ham and Everton having submitted proposals to the England international.
The 29-year-old also has offers from two clubs in the Middle East, while Forest have now entered the race in an ambitious move to lure Lingard to the City Ground.
The Telegraph are reporting that the newly-promoted side ‘are in advanced talks’ with Lingard over a potential deal, in a move that would represent a significant coup for Steve Cooper and his recruitment team.
Tottenham had also been linked with Lingard, though Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the midfielder is not a transfer target for the north Londoners.
Tottenham will not open talks to sign Jesse Lingard. He’s not a target on Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte’s list for this window. ⚪️ #THFC
Lingard will decide his future soon, matter of days.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2022
West Ham had hoped to agree an early deal to sign Lingard, who had a successful loan spell at the London Stadium during the 2020/21 campaign. The midfielder scored nine goals in just 16 league appearances for the Hammers and earned an England recall, before returning to Manchester United.
Lingard made just two league starts during a frustrating campaign with the Red Devils last term and is keen to secure regular first-team football as he bids to break back into Gareth Southgate’s plans ahead of the World Cup in November.
