Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that Jesse Lingard is now training with West Ham after his Nottingham Forest release.
The Reds player is training with the Hammers today. The reporter has made this surprise claim on his personal Twitter account this afternoon.
Lingard spent the 2022/23 campaign at Forest. He was the club’s stellar signing on a free transfer last summer but the move didn’t quite work out.
Forest managed to get the 30-year-old on a free transfer but he was paid a handsome wage for the year he spent at the City Ground.
Ultimately, a number of factors contributed to Lingard struggling to perform to the best of his ability at Forest.
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For starters, he didn’t do much of pre-season with the Reds and played catch-up from the off.
Steve Cooper had to quickly find a place for him in the team and he was constantly playing in a number of different positions.
Lingard did look to have settled around November. He scored and claimed an assist as the Reds beat Tottenham 2-0 in the Carabao Cup.
However, the break for the World Cup came at the worst possible time and it seemed to set the Forest man back again.
Despite failing to register a goal or assist in the Premier League, Lingard proved a good character in the dressing room.
He struggled with injuries during the second half of the season and it was definitely the best thing for all parties that he moved on.
Lingard did have some offers after leaving Forest. It was claimed shortly after his departure that clubs in the MLS and in Saudi Arabia were keen to sign him.
Departed Forest player Lingard now training with West Ham
Lingard departed the City Ground with the club’s very best wishes. He was rooting for the club at every game in the stands when he was injured and his experience in the dressing room was important.
As a player, he was off the pace, however. He never really scaled the heights he’d shown during a loan spell with West Ham and perhaps a move back there would be ideal.
Interestingly, their supporters turned on him when he chose Forest. Now those cynics might be forced to backtrack if Lingard pulls on their shirt next season.