Jesse Lingard in Advanced Talks to Join Premier League Newcomers with West Ham Return Now Unlikely

• Nottingham Forest are now favourites to land former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard
• The newly-promoted side are eager to beat West Ham to the signature of Lingard, who is currently a free agent
• Lingard held lengthy talks with West Ham over a possible move but the two parties failed to reach an agreement

Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard is highly likely to join the newly-promoted outfit, Nottingham Forest, in an unexpected transfer twist.

Lingard, 29, is currently a free agent after walking away from Manchester United upon expiry of his contract in June.

He has since been linked with a number of moves, including Wayne Rooney’s DC United in the MLS and West Ham United, where he spent a fair amount of time on loan in 2021.

According to The Guardian, Forest have had positive talks with Lingard and his representatives, and a transfer is looking highly likely.

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The snag that hit West Ham in their pursuit of Lingard is the Englishman’s wages, as he is reportedly demanding £180,000 a week.

West Ham grew frustrated during talks and reports have it that the club started to question whether Lingard actually wanted to play for them.

While the Hammers are unwilling to match that wage demand, Nottingham Forest have shown intent in stretching their wage structure to acquire Lingard.

A move to bring Lingard to City Ground is yet to be finalized, although as at Wednesday, July 20, Nottingham Forest were favorite to land him.

Guardiola trashes Neymar to Man City transfer talk

Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola has dismissed sensational reports suggesting Neymar was offered to Manchester City in a swap deal.

Multiple reports in France suggested that Guardiola's Man City declined the opportunity to sign Neymar with the Brazilian playmaker's future at Paris Saint-Germain hanging in the balance.

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But responding to the transfer rumours linking Neymar to Man City, Pep Guardiola disclosed the reports were completely false although acknowledging the immense quality of the former Barcelona ace.