ExWHUemployee makes Jesse Lingard contract claim and proposes West Ham United return in January
Nottingham Forest are considering terminating Jesse Lingard’s contract, according to ExWHUemployee, opening the door for a West Ham return.
Lingard enjoyed a six-month loan spell at the Hammers in 2021 and was a standout performer in David Moyes’ side. He was heavily linked with a return in the summer [Sky Sports].
But instead, the 29-year-old chose to join newly-promoted side Nottingham Forest on a one-year contract. It hasn’t worked out for Lingard and it now seems Steve Cooper wants Lingard gone as soon as possible.
That’s because ExWHUemployee has claimed via the West Ham Way Podcast that Forest are contemplating terminating Lingard’s £115,000-a-week contract amid his poor performances.
“Nottingham Forest are considering terminating the contract of Jesse Lingard, they might actually be prepared to let him go on a free transfer in January,” said ExWHUemployee.
“Obviously, he’s only got a year’s contract anyway and he’s on big wages and they’re not playing him, so there’s actually some talk that they might let him go on a free transfer in January.
“It wouldn’t surprise me, and I don’t think it would go down very well with West Ham fans. But it will be interesting to see how that situation develops.”
Stay away
Lingard’s loan spell in 2021 was superb and he quickly became a fan favourite at the London Stadium as the goals and assists continued to flow.
But West Ham would be making a huge mistake if they return to the out-of-form midfielder to try and add some creativity to Moyes’ side in January.
Lucas Paqueta’s arrival in the summer ticked every box Lingard could tick and more, and the likes of Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals already offer more than enough depth in his position.
If Lingard was keen on returning to east London, he should have not chased a big payday at Forest and returned in the summer when interest existed.
He’s now missed the boat, and his form in Nottingham suggests that West Ham actually dodged a bullet. There are plenty of other areas that need addressing in January rather than writing up an extortionate contract for Lingard.