Sky Sports News has been told Jesse Lingard becomes Forest's highest earner, with his deal thought to be worth £115,000 per week plus incentives; Lingard had the chance to join West Ham after the Hammers made what they felt was a fair and competitive offer for the forward
Friday 22 July 2022 11:23, UK
Nottingham Forest have signed free agent Jesse Lingard on a one-year deal.
The former Manchester United forward has rejected West Ham to join the newly-promoted Premier League side after they made a substantial offer to sign him, although the one-year contract does not include an option for a further year.
The 29-year-old's representatives had been in talks with at least four different clubs in recent days after Lingard left Old Trafford last month following the expiration of his United contract.
West Ham wanted to sign Lingard, who scored nine goals and registered five assists for the Hammers during a successful loan spell in 2021.
But Lingard has rejected the chance to re-join the Irons despite what West Ham felt was a fair and competitive offer to the Englishman.
David Moyes' side were not interested in getting involved in a bidding war with other clubs and are now focusing on other targets.
Sky Sports News has been told Lingard becomes Forest's highest earner, with his deal thought to be worth £115,000 per week plus incentives.
Miltiadis Marinakis - son of the Forest owner Evangelos - was hugely influential in convincing Lingard to join the club.
Lingard becomes Forest's 11th signing as they prepare for their first season in the top flight in 23 years.
Lingard's first home game for Forest will be against West Ham at the City Ground on August 14, live on Sky Sports.
Middlesbrough have turned down rival bids from Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for Marcus Tavernier.
Sky Sports News understands both offers were in excess of £10m for the midfielder, while one source has revealed Bournemouth have been pushing harder than Forest to sign the 23-year-old.
Tavernier, who is the brother of Rangers captain James, scored five goals in 48 appearances in all competitions last season.
Nottingham Forest have been busy so far in the transfer market ahead of their long-awaited Premier League return.
Lingard's arrival comes a day after Forest brought in Huddersfield Town's Lewis O'Brien and Harry Toffolo.
Last month, Steve Cooper's side signed Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi for a club-record £17.5m fee and have recently brought in Moussa Niakhate and Neco Williams - both in deals worth £17m.
Forest, who open their campaign with a trip to Newcastle on August 6, have also signed Brandon Aguilera, Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards, Dean Henderson and Wayne Hennessey.
Former Nottingham Forest striker Nigel Jemson speaking to Sky Sports News:
"It's a massive statement and a major coup to get someone of his standard.
"Forest are not here just to make up the numbers in the Premier League. They want to be a force there and the owners have backed the manager by making quite a few signings.
"For Jesse Lingard to come to Nottingham Forest is what probably most people dreamed of at The City Ground.
"Forest are looking for creativity and he can do that. I'm so excited about it and I can't wait to watch him on the first home game this season on August 14.
"This is a big signing and this is getting everyone excited, and I'm quietly confident that not only will they avoid relegation, but they'll hold themselves in this league and I just can't wait."
Who will be on the move this summer before the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
