A report by Football Insider has claimed where Jesse Lingard could go when he leaves Nottingham Forest. It was reported over the weekend that Steve Cooper is now willing to sanction a departure for the forward and doesn’t want him to stay.
The Reds landed the player on a free transfer in the summer. He left Manchester United after several years at the club and rejected West Ham to sign a one-year deal with Forest.
Things haven’t quite gone to plan, however. He’s yet to score or register an assist in the Premier League and since the World Cup, he’s struggled with a number of niggling injury problems.
It does seem very unlikely that Lingard would earn a new contract. He’s earning £120,000-a-week at the City Ground and it doesn’t make sense to offer him an extension.
Now, Football Insider claim that the Forest man has interest from Saudi Arabia and the MLS. It remains to be seen, however, whether Cooper would sanction a departure before the season ends.
Forest are short of options in attack right now. Letting Lingard go would represent a risk, especially with Brennan Johnson set to be ruled out after picking up an injury last week.
Report has claimed where Lingard could go when he leaves Fores
It would be a massive surprise to see the Reds let Lingard go now. Okay, his form isn’t great but losing him would weaken the squad considerably.
It’s hard not to feel some sympathy for Lingard. He’s constantly fighting his fitness and ultimately, he’s just not been able to gain any real consistency.
In the Carabao Cup, Lingard has two goals and two assists to his name. Those performances came just before the World Cup and he did look to be getting up to speed then.
If Lingard does leave Forest, a move abroad looks likely. Given his form for Forest, another shot somewhere in England looks unlikely and the finances of Saudi Arabia or the USA could appeal.
Right now, however, the Reds must keep hold of Lingard.