Nottingham Forest are set to sign Jesse Lingard, as the ex- Manchester United star is due for a medical to seal a shock transfer.
The 29-year-old is a free agent after being released by United when his contract expired in June. Lingard had been in talks to rejoin West Ham following a superb loan spell in 2021, but an out-of-the-blue bid from Forest turned his head towards the City Ground, Mirror Football understands.
Having spent more than two decades with the Red Devils, the midfielder is now booked in for medical checks and on the verge of signing a deal with the newly-promoted Premier League side. Led by highly-rated manager Steve Cooper and fresh from winning the Championship play-off final, Forest have already made eight summer signings, including United goalkeeper Dean Henderson on a season-long loan.
Lingard will reunite with his Old Trafford pal in Nottingham, having had interest from all over the world following a frustrating final season at his boyhood club. In the Premier League, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur made contact, while Newcastle maintained their interest after missing out on the Red Devils academy graduate during the January transfer window.
AC Milan, neighbours Inter and fellow Italian giants Juventus were also touted for a swoop, as were Wayne Rooney 's D.C. United in the United States. It was also reported that Lingard was open to moving to Saudi Arabia, but his next destination - where he's expected to top the wage bill - looks just 91 miles from his hometown of Warrington.
West Ham boss David Moyes had been hoping to sign his former ace, having loaned him in for the second half of the 20-21 season. It was an inspired move which saw Lingard briefly return to the England setup thanks to nine goals and four assists in 16 appearances. Moyes told Sky Sports after his team lost 3-1 to Rangers on Tuesday: "Jesse had a great time with us, so we can't deny [the interest]."
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Meanwhile at Forest, it's been a busy week. Cooper and co have already welcomed Huddersfield Town duo Harry Toffolo and Lewis O'Brien for a combined fee worth an estimated £10million. The City Ground gaffer, who worked wonders to get the two-time European champions back in the big-time, explained after both moves were made official on Wednesday: "Harry is an excellent addition to the squad and adds quality and depth to a position that we were keen to strengthen this summer.
"We are delighted to secure the signing of Lewis and are thrilled to get this one over the line. He was one of the standout players in the Championship last season and possesses many of the qualities that we are looking for to strengthen the midfield unit."
