Moyes 'surprised' Lingard chose Forest over West Ham despite 'really good offer'

David Moyes admits he was surprised when Jesse Lingard chose Nottingham Forest over a return to West Ham United.

Lingard, 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 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. They certainly did.

"I've got to say the club have tried to get lots of players, but for different reasons, we've not been able to get them."

Moyes has spent almost £100 million on Alphonse Areola, Gianluca Scamacca, Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes and Maxwel Cornet, but he has still found the transfer market a frustrating place this summer

"If only you knew. It's been incredible," he added. "We've made bids for numerous, numerous players. Genuine bids and genuine money, and for different reasons, we've not got them.

"They've not wanted to come to the club, or we've not got the financial deal right, or we've not been able to pay the player and the agent, so one way and another, we've found it difficult to be competitive this summer.

"Hopefully, come the end of the window, we'll have got ourselves in order.

"The difference is we're trying to be in the top six rather than