Extraordinary Jesse Lingard wage claim emerges as Nottingham Forest target surprise transfer

Nottingham Forest are said to have offered Jesse Lingard a bumper wage deal, in a bid to lure him to the City Ground.

The Reds are in need of attacking reinforcements as they prepare for their Premier League return. And a shock move for free agent Lingard could be on the cards, to add to the 10 signings already made this summer.

West Ham United had been considered frontrunners for the 29-year-old, following a successful loan spell there. But Forest are said to be “close” to securing his signature following talks.

A package worth slightly less than £200,000 a week is said to have been put forward by the Reds, according to The Times. The Hammers are said to have offered about £50,000 less than that, in the terms they have proposed.

A deal has not yet been agreed. But if England international Lingard does end up Trentside, it would be a marquee signing for Forest, amid a significant spending spree bankrolled by owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Lingard featured 22 times for United last season, but only four of those appearances came as part of the starting XI. After more than 20 years at Old Trafford, he left at the end of his contract this summer.

Reds boss Steve Cooper is targeting further additions to the 10 made so far. He said: "We're doing extensive research on the players we bring in, not just as a footballer - that's the obvious bit - but as a character and their personality. We're very happy, on both of those fronts, with the guys who have come through the door so far. That will continue to be the case going forward.

"How many players are we going to sign? I don't know. But what I do know is the guys who are here are working really hard and are trying to get ready for the season.”