JESSE LINGARD: NOTTINGHAM FOREST'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Featured Image Credit - The Mirror

It was announced earlier this week that free agent Jesse Lingard had signed for Nottingham Forest, but just how big of a statement is this from the newly promoted side?

Lingard was a free agent after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season, following the expiration of his contract, and had several clubs reportedly interested in signing the England international.

But it was newly promoted Nottingham Forest who won the race to sign the 29-year-old after fighting off more established Premier League sides such as West Ham United, Everton, and Newcastle United.

West Ham Rejections

The Warrington-born playmaker previously starred for West Ham during a successful loan spell in 2020-21, where he scored nine goals in just 16 league matches and was heavily rumored to make a permanent move that summer. A move would eventually fail to materialize after Lingard wanted to focus on his chances of competing in the first team at Manchester United the following season.

West Ham failed yet again in the wake of his eventual move to Forest this week. The Hammers were reportedly favorites to re-sign Lingard until a 'substantial' eleventh-hour contract offer from the East Midlands club was penned by the England forward on Thursday, with West Ham not wanting to get involved in a 'bidding war'.

One-year contract

A one-year contract was agreed between club and player, which at first may seem bizarre considering the player's age and demand, but one that can also seem quite refreshing in the modern age of football. No long-term commitment by either party could suit both if you look at it in the worst-case scenario.

Unlike a longer-term contract, the club won't have to worry about the risk of paying Premier League wages at a lower level, should the player look to play hardball and sit out the remainder of his contract in the event of relegation to the Championship.

For Lingard he has a chance to prove his worth in a side he knows will guarantee regular first-team football, should he stay fit. The midfielder has found regular first-team football limited at Old Trafford in recent years after featuring just 16 times in the League in the past two seasons, which included just two starts in that period.

Reportedly worth around £100k per week, Lingard will cost Forest around £5.2m for the year (Not including bonuses), a far lot less a fee for someone of his age and quality if they were paying a transfer fee to another club.

A one-year deal could also be a shrewd move for Lingard. Should he prove his worth this upcoming season and wants a move to a bigger club the following year, the club would be powerless to stand in his way with the expiration of his contract, allowing him to move on as a free agent once more, which would be attractive to many future suitors where the club would not have to pay Forest a transfer fee.

Lingard who has a total of 32 international caps will want to impress England manager Gareth Southgate ahead of this winter's World Cup in Qatar, after narrowly missing out on the Euro 2020 squad last summer after a fine second half of the season at West Ham.

Big statement from Forest

The signing of Lingard, an England international, will go down as one of the biggest signings in recent memory at the City Ground. Not since former club legend Stuart Pearce, has Forest been able to boast about an England international amongst the club's ranks, which is a real statement of intent from the Forest owners.

While Lingard starred for England in the 2018 World cup, it was the East Midlands side that finished 17th in the Championship of the same season, a real credit to how far the club has come under Steve Cooper in such a short period of time.

The club is not content to sit by and make up the numbers this season. The club has already spent over £73 million in their first season back in the top tier for 23 years, with Lingard totaling their recruits to 11 which includes the arrivals of Liverpool right-back Neco Williams and Man United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Clubs in the past such as Fulham have spent big after promotion to the Premier League only to end in relegation, but at Forest, this feels different mainly due to the wise signings of established Premier League experienced stars whilst under the guidance of Steve Cooper who will get his chance to cut his teeth at management in England's top-flight for the first time.

Much attention will be on the City Ground this season as the historic club enters their first season back in the top-flight for over 20 years, with Lingard's home debut expected to be made against no other than West Ham on the 14th of August.