Leicester City are keen to sign Nottingham Forest forward Jesse Lingard in the summer. Fenerbahce and clubs in the Middle East are also keen to try and take him when his Forest contract ends.
The Foxes would likely need to avoid relegation if they’re to persuade Lingard to head south to join Leicester. According to the Daily Mail, however, they are in the mix to try and land him.
Lingard hasn’t really worked out at Forest. He signed on a free transfer in the summer having spent a decade at Manchester United before leaving at the end of his contract.
The 30-year-old was a decent addition in hindsight. Ultimately, however, the Reds haven’t seen the best of Lingard, with the England man struggling with injuries since the World Cup.
Subsequently, Lingard hasn’t made the grade at Forest. He’s failed to register a single goal or assist in the Premier League and he’s not had the desired impact on Steve Cooper’s team.
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Leicester’s situation is arguably more perilous than Forest’s. They sit a place lower than the Reds and are also staring at a return to the Championship for the first time in a few years.
Forest will offload Lingard during the summer. He’s on a huge wage and the Reds will see those funds as being better utilised elsewhere regardless of the league they will be playing in.
Lingard caught the eye of Rio Ferdinand when he was on loan at West Ham. He called him ‘amazing’ when he was at the London Stadium and he enjoyed his football in East London.
Leicester keen to sign Lingard in the summer
The Forest forward hasn’t worked out in the Reds team. It’s not been down to a lack of determination but it’s clear that he’s not going to really ever get going at the City Ground.
Lingard is on a sizeable wage packet from the club. He’s not really justified that huge spend and next season the club will look to cut their cloth accordingly once again.
Forest won’t miss Lingard. He’s coming towards the end of his career and ultimately, the Reds already have better options within their squad and giving him a new contract doesn’t make sense.