David Moyes admits he was surprised when Jesse Lingard chose Nottingham Forest over a return to West Ham. Lingard, who was a free agent after leaving Manchester United, enjoyed a successful loan stint with the Hammers two seasons ago.
The 29-year-old scored nine goals in 16 matches to help fire West Ham into Europe, and also got back into the England squad.
After another season of bench-warming at United, Lingard was offered the chance to head back to the London Stadium to resurrect his career for a second time.
But instead he turned down European football with West Ham to join promoted Forest on a one-year contract. “I was surprised, yeah,” said Hammers boss Moyes. “I thought Jesse in the end would come here and I’ve got to say the club made him a really good offer. “You couldn’t turn around and say David Sullivan and the owners didn’t do everything they could to get him.